Abstract:

Background: Cervical cancer causes high morbidity and mortality rate, accounting for almost 7.5% all cancer deaths in women worldwide. This is even higher in developing countries due to lack of screening campaigns, poor access to vaccine and late presentation to hospitals. Human Papillomavirus is the known causative agent for this deadly disease. Tanzania has recently introduced early-age cervical cancer vaccine into its routine immunization program, hence this study aimed to determine knowledge, attitude, practice and acceptability among school girls in Rombo District.

Methods: This was a prospective community based cross sectional study which was carried out in Rombo district between September and October 2018. 210 participants were recruited through random sampling method. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire to obtain information on knowledge, attitude, practice and acceptability towards HPV vaccine among school girl in Rombo district. Analysis on participant’s demographic history, sexual history, knowledge, attitude, practice and acceptability towards HPV vaccine was done using SPSS version 20.

Results: Majority 82.9% (174) were aware of HPV vaccine with nearly half of them (45.2%) had already received the vaccine. Approximately three quarter (73.3%) did not know the mode of transmission of HPV, and about half (49%) did not even know a complete injection dose for HPV vaccine. More than half (61.4%) thought only women could be infected by HPV thus only 42.4% thought it was not important to vaccinate both men and women. Most of respondents agreed that the vaccine is safe for them. Among those who had never been vaccinated, majority (87.8%) of them wished to be vaccinated and their major concern to be vaccinated was because the vaccine prevents so many other diseases. The health centre was a recommended as the best area for receiving the vaccine but surprisingly, 82.5% did not know the best time to be vaccinated:

Conclusion: Despite of high acceptance of the vaccine, poor knowledge indicates a need for information not only about HPV vaccine but also HPC together with post vaccination sexual health education to create the best attitude towards it.

Recommendations: Future researches should assess the knowledge of HPV infection including risk factors, mode of transmission and effects to both young women and men.