Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is Ethiopia's second biggest cause of cancer-related death among women. The introduction of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination is expected to have a significant impact on the burden of cervical cancer. In Ethiopia, particularly in our study area, little is known regarding girls' acceptance of HPV vaccination. Therefore, this study has assessed the acceptance of HPV vaccination and associated factors among girls in Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted on January 1, 2020. Based on convenience, Arba Minch town was purposefully selected. Stratification was done to stratify private and public schools, then simple random sampling to select sample schools from each, and finally, a proportional allocation of sample size to each school. The determinants and independent variables that influence the acceptance of the human papillomavirus vaccination were determined using a multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: This study's overall acceptance rate for study participants was 50.4% (95% CI) (45.9-55.2). Girls' age (AOR = 2.93, 95% CI (1.57_5.47), P value 0.001), mothers' educational level (secondary and more than secondary, AOR = 2.40, 95% CI (1.01_5.73), P value 0.048, and 3.64, 95% CI (1.61_8.25), P value 0.002, respectively), positive attitude (AOR = 5.22, 95% CI (2.96_9.19), Pvalue ≤ 0.001), good knowledge (AOR = 2.49, 95% CI (1.19_5.24), P value 0.001), and receiving childhood immunization (AOR = 14.85, 95% CI (8.58_25.72), Pvalue ≤ 0.001) were factors associated with girls' acceptance of the human papillomavirus vaccination. Conclusions and Recommendation. Only half of the study participants accepted HPV vaccination. Therefore, Arba Minch town health institutions should better boost the acceptance of HPV vaccination by improving the knowledge and attitudes of girls. Factors associated with girls' acceptance of HPV vaccination were age, mothers' educational status, positive attitude, knowledge of HPV vaccination, and receiving childhood immunization.