Low Uptake of the Second Dose of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Cervical cancer represents the most common neoplastic pathology among women, with a high burden of morbidity and mortality globally. Tanzania is no exception. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine remains the most effective intervention to address such a burden. However, the uptake of the second dose to confer full immunity remains a challenge. This study aimed to assess the uptake and factors associated with the second dose of the HPV (HPV-2) vaccine uptake among adolescents in the Ilala municipality of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Using a quantitative cross-sectional study, data of 389 adolescent girls was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software through descriptive and multivariate logistic regression methods to determine uptake, characteristics, and factors associated with the uptake of the second dose of the HPV vaccine. Among the 389 adolescents, the uptake of the HPV-2 vaccine dose was only 21.3%, a lower level compared with the first dose of HPV vaccine (35.2%). Factors associated with the uptake of the HPV-2 vaccine were age (AOR 0.14, p = 0.008), positive attitude towards the HPV-2 vaccine (AOR 2.04, p = 0.023), and awareness of the HPV-2 vaccine (AOR: 9.16, p = 0.003). In conclusion, only one in five adolescents in the Ilala municipality received a second dose of HPV vaccine. Such low uptake was associated with attitude towards the HPV vaccine and low awareness of HPV-2 vaccines. Regular community sensitization and awareness campaigns by relevant authorities and implementers may help to increase the HPV vaccine uptake.