Abstract:

Background: Cervical cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide caused by oncogenic human papilloma virus subtypes. Globally, it is estimated that about 569847 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, of which 80% are in developing countries (1). In Tanzania cervical cancer is the most frequent cancer among women, according to WHO In 2018 Tanzania had the fourth highest incidence rate of cervical cancer in the world with 59.1 new cases per 100,000 women(2). Prevention of cervical cancer is possible though vaccination, early detection by screening and treatment of precancerous lesion(3). HPV vaccination program in Tanzania introduced in 2018 adolescent female in order to prevent consequences of cervical cancer in the community(4).

Objective: The study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical cancer vaccination among secondary school girls in Nyamagana district.

Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study community based included380 secondary school girls studying at selected schools in Nyamagana district participated. Data collected by using Questionnaire and Data entry and analysis was done by using SPSS 2020 version.

Results: level of knowledge attitude and practice of cervical cancer vaccination were 82.9%, 89.7% and 73.7% respectively, 99% heard of cervical cancer and major source of information were hospital/health care workers 53.2%, mass media, tv and radio 28.7% other sources 18.2%. method of transmission by sexual contact 68.7%, by blood 18.2% and 12.9 they don’t know. 85.5% reported the best age of vaccination is 9 to 14 years. 76.8% believes on the safety of the vaccine while 79.9% reported no religion or cultural limitation on vaccination and 73.7% were vaccinated.

Conclusion: This study showed that, high level of knowledge attitude and practice of cervical cancer vaccination among secondary school girls in Nyamagana district. It identified good response of vaccination program introduced by government of Tanzania in 2018.