TITLE:
Evaluation of Awareness of Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer among Female Undergraduates of a Private Mission University in Southwestern Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Charles J. Elikwu, Tinuade A. Ajani, Opeoluwa Shonekan, Victor Nwadike, Babatunde Tayo, Chika C. Okangba, Chinedu Idakari, Onyinye Onyekachi, Brown Ene, Azubuike C. Omeonu, Bibitayo Faluyi, Jemima Orejesu Ajide, God’s-Favour Braimoh, Vivian Ezeh, Ibukunoluwa Mofopefoluwa Ogunbowale, Elizabeth Omotola Omotayo, Chiamaka Ukpai, Frederick Etoh
KEYWORDS:
Human Papillomavirus, Cervical Cancer, HPV Vaccine, Undergraduates, Babcock University
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Microbiology,
Vol.12 No.11,
November
11,
2022
ABSTRACT: Background: Human papillomavirus infection is most prevalent in the younger population and causes cervical cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In 2018, cervical cancer was estimated to be 570,000 cases and 311,000 deaths; it ranked as the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women. Cervical cancer can be prevented through health education and vaccination against HPV. This study aimed at evaluating the level of awareness of human papillomavirus and cervical cancer among female undergraduate students of Babcock University, Ogun state of Nigeria. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted among 310 female undergraduates of Babcock University in Nigeria from January to April 2019. The selection technique was a multistage random sampling method. The data collection was done using structured and self-administered questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistics for windows version 25 and were presented in summary charts and frequency tables. P-values less than or equal to 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Of 310 female students, 296 (95.5%) were aware of HPV infections. The majority, 215 (69.4%) of the students knew that HPV is sexually transmitted. There was poor knowledge of the risk factors of HPV infection. Only, 65 (21.0%) were aware that HPV infection causes cervical cancer. A few proportions of students 79 (25.4%) were aware of the HPV vaccine. Consequently, only 44 (14.2%) have received HPV vaccination and some complained about the cost as a significant reason for not being vaccinated against HPV infection. Conclusion: The level of awareness of HPV infection, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccine uptake was very low in this study. There is a need to improve health education and awareness campaigns among students about HPV infection, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccine uptake.