Knowledge, perceptions, and attitude of nursing students on human papillomavirus infection and vaccine in Nigeria: a mixed methods design
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objective: Human papillomavirus (HPV)
vaccination is an efficient primary prevention of HPV
infections and associated lesions. Nursing trainees
are expected to be knowledgeable on public health
related diseases and preventive methods including
HPV vaccination. This study assessed knowledge
and attitude about HPV vaccination in Nigeria among
Nursing students in Ibadan.
Methods: It was a mixed methods study that involved
- two focus group discussions (FGD) and a cross
sectional survey among nursing students in two
institutions in Ibadan Nigeria. FGD data were
analysed using thematic content analysis technique.
A Spearman rank-order correlation and Kruskal
Wallis were used to test association between the
knowledge score of HPV infection and vaccine and
participant characteristics. Statistical analyses were
performed with STATA 15.0 software.
Results: The median age of students was 19 (IQR
20-21) years. In the FGDs, participants had good
knowledge of HPV infection, but little or no
knowledge about HPV vaccines. Only two
participants knew the correct name and dosages of
the available HPV vaccines. The median knowledge
score about HPV vaccine was 6 (4-8) and 53% of
the participant had a score >50% (6 and above). There
was strong evidence that age of participants and level
of year in the nursing school were associated with
good knowledge of HPV infection and vaccine
(p<0.05).
Conclusion: The knowledge of HPV infection,
related morbidities and vaccine was poor in this study.
We recommend increase in awareness of cervical
cancer including primary prevention of HPV infection
through vaccination. We also recommend early
introduction of HPV and related morbidities in nursing
curriculum as a subject to improve their knowledge
and better prepare them for public health intervention
role in the community.
Article Details
Section
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