KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS VACCINE AMONG STUDENTS OF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY

Knowledge and attitude of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccines is an important determinant of vaccine acceptance. As a result of high prevalence of cervical cancer in women, current vaccination programs and information focuses mainly on women but the vaccination of women alone may not be effective against cervical cancer and other HPV infection without vaccinating men. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudinal level of male and female student of Obafemi Awolowo university, Ile-Ife, Nigeria towards HPV vaccine. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was adopted and a sample size of 400 students were used. This study showed poor knowledge and negative attitude among the male respondents towards HPV vaccination. A comparison showed that 56% of male respondents compared with 46% of female respondents has poor knowledge of HPV vaccine. Similarly, 59.5% of male respondents compared with 41% of female respondents had negative attitude towards HPV vaccination. Men are important vectors in HPV transmission, in order to reduce incidences of cervical cancer and other HPV related diseases in women, it is pertinent that more men should be vaccinated. Therefore, sustained sensitization and education is required to increase the acceptability of HPV vaccines especially among males.