Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Parents of Young Girls regarding Vaccination against Cervical Cancer in Ouagadougou

Introduction: Cervical cancer remains a major public health issue in Sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices is crucial to improving human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage and reducing the disease burden in Burkina Faso. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ouagadougou from 19 - 28 December 2024 among 403 parents of girls aged 10 - 12. Data were collected using structured face-to-face questionnaires via KoboCollect. Socio-demographic variables, knowledge, attitudes, and vaccination practices were assessed. Bivariate and multivariate analyses identified factors associated with parental acceptance of HPV vaccination. Ethical approval was obtained from the national committee, and interviews were conducted anonymously with informed consent. Results: Participants’ mean age was 42.8 years, and most were female (87.8%) and married (87.6%). Knowledge about HPV and prevention was limited: while 98.5% had heard of cervical cancer, only 12.4% knew HPV causes it. Overall, 85.1% knew of the vaccine, yet only 53.9% accepted vaccination and 12.7% had already vaccinated their daughters. Multivariate analysis revealed that female sex (OR = 2.4), having a relative who died of cancer (OR = 3.1), awareness that vaccination is free (OR = 9.4), knowledge of vaccination sites (OR = 1.4), belief in effectiveness (OR = 1.9), and rejecting infertility myths (OR = 3.7) were significantly associated with acceptance. Conclusion: HPV vaccination acceptance among parents in Ouagadougou remains suboptimal, despite general awareness of cervical cancer. Misconceptions, insufficient knowledge, and practical barriers limit uptake. Strengthening communication, addressing myths, and promoting accessibility are essential strategies to increase vaccination coverage and ultimately reduce the cervical cancer burden in Burkina Faso.