KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND CAREGIVERS IN JOS METROPOLIS, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA.

Introduction: HPV infection is well-recognized as a cause of nearly all cases of cervical cancer. There are currently three prophylactic HPV vaccines; a bivalent (Cervarix), a quadrivalent (Gardasil), and a nonavalent vaccine (Gardasil- 9). With the recent rollout of HPV vaccines in Nigeria, it is imperative to understand potential barriers and facilitators to its uptake.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the awareness, perception, and willingness to accept HPV vaccine and explore enablers and barriers to HPV vaccine uptake among adolescents and caregivers.

Methods: Four focus group discussions were conducted with adolescents from public and private secondary schools in Plateau, 4 with the parents of adolescents, and one IDI with the head of ANCOPSS. Each FGD had between 8-12 participants. Interviews were recorded and notes were taken. The interviews were transcribed, codes were generated and analysis was conducted using a thematic framework approach with NVIVO version 11 software.

Results: Most participants demonstrated inadequate knowledge and poor perception of HPV and the vaccine. Girls were willing to accept the vaccine, while boys saw it as a female problem. Parents had limited knowledge but expressed willingness to allow their children to be vaccinated. The fear of side effects, poor vaccine quality, and lack of parental approval were major barriers expressed by the girls while myths and misconceptions regarding the vaccine interference with fertility and as a means of population control were significant barriers on the parts of the parents.

Conclusion: Low awareness and poor perception of HPV vaccine exist among adolescents and caregivers. Long-term individual and community-level interventions are needed to provide accurate information address knowledge gaps and promote inclusive access.