Abstract:

Background: Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women and first cancer among women in Tanzania. Human papilloma virus has been implicated as causative agent of cervical cancer. HPV vaccine has been introduced many years ago for prevention of this deadly cancer. In Tanzania HPV vaccine was introduced in 2018 and is provided to adolescent girls. The aim of this study to determine awareness, attitude towards human papilloma virus vaccine and acceptability of human papilloma virus vaccine among adolescent girls in Sengerema district, Mwanza.

Methods: Using descriptive cross-sectional study a total of 330 students from four schools found in Sengerema district were selected through convenience sampling. An interview validated structured questionnaire was used to collect information from participants and data analysed by using statistics and data 20 (STATA 20).

Results: Majority of the respondents have heard about HPV vaccine (86.06%). About 27.46% have higher awareness of HPV vaccine, 59.86% had moderate awareness while 12.67% had low level of awareness of HPV vaccine, and 91.55% of all respondents agree HPV vaccine should be given to all adolescent girls. The overall majority of the respondents had positive attitude towards HPV vaccine. The acceptability of Human papilloma virus vaccine is high though only 18.66% of respondents have been vaccinated.

Conclusion: In general, acceptability of Human papilloma virus vaccine was high. This was accompanied with moderate awareness of HPV vaccine and positive attitude toward HPV vaccine. More education is still required to fill gaps existing between respondents.