Female adolescents’ knowledge and acceptability of human papillomavirus vaccine in Debre Tabor Town, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and acceptability of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and associated factors among female adolescent students in Debre Tabor Town, Ethiopia, 2021. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study was done from 9 December 2020 to 28 February 2021. ANALYSIS: The data were entered into EpiData V.4.2 and analysed with SPSS V.23 software. The OR, 95% CI and p<0.05 were used to determine the bivariable and multivariable statistical association. SETTING: Three high schools (grades 9 and 10) and six primary schools (grades 7 and 8) were included in the study. PARTICIPANTS: Adolescent female students in Debre Tabor Town. RESULTS: The overall knowledge score in the questionnaire was six, and it was divided into two groups based on scoring level: poor (score <3) and good (score ≥3). More than half respondents (59.2%) scored good knowledge. The proportion of acceptability of the HPV vaccine was 61.9%. Age (adjusted OR, AOR 1.70, 95% CI 1.17 to 3.88), and having a source of information (AOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.06 to 3.22) were significantly associated with the knowledge of the HPV vaccine. Place of birth (AOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.95), fathers’ educational status (AOR 2.80, 95% CI 1.18 to 5.65), having a source of information (AOR 2.14, 95% CI 1.05 to 4.32) and knowledge about the HPV vaccine (AOR 6.41, 95% CI 3.45 to 11.90) were significantly associated with the acceptance of the female adolescent HPV vaccine. CONCLUSION: In this study, the knowledge and acceptability of students of the HPV vaccine were low. Health authorities, through the mass media, should strengthen HPV vaccine promotion in schools, religious institutions and health facilities.