Knowledge, Attitude, and Preventive Practices on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among Mothers of Adolescent Girls in Selected Secondary Schools of Lagos, Nigeria

Background and aims: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection linked to genital, anal, and oral warts, as well as cervical and other cancers. Low- and middle-income countries, such as Nigeria, face heightened HPV-related disease risks. Vaccination is crucial for global burden reduction, especially in these regions. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices concerning HPV infection and vaccination among mothers of adolescent girls in Lagos, Nigeria. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Lagos. Using multi-stage sampling, 312 mothers of adolescent girls attending secondary schools were selected. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires and analysed using SPSS Statistics. Results: Most respondents were aged 40–49 (53.5%) and married (81.1%). Only 43.9% had heard of HPV, although the majority were aware of cervical cancer. A majority (59.0%) had not heard of HPV vaccines. Most respondents demonstrated poor HPV knowledge (61.9%), though many were willing to vaccinate their daughters if free (69.4%). However, fewer were willing to pay for vaccination (47.7%), and most daughters (85.6%) hadn’t been vaccinated. School-based vaccination programmes were the primary source of vaccination information (81.3%). Significant associations were found between respondents’ level of education and their HPV knowledge, as well as willingness to vaccinate their daughters (p<0.001, 0.008). Conclusion: The study reveals significant knowledge gaps among respondents regarding HPV and cervical cancer, indicating poor HPV-related knowledge and practices in Nigeria. To address this, broad awareness programmes, health facility outreach, media campaigns, and improved vaccine accessibility through government support are recommended.