Knowledge, attitude and human papillomavirus vaccination among market women in North-Central Nigeria

Non-vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) has serious implications on population health. This study therefore investigates the awareness and knowledge of HPV and its vaccines, attitude towards HPV vaccines, and adoption rate of HPV vaccines among market women in North-Central Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted to collect primary data from 400 respondents in 11 different markets in North-Central Nigeria using a multi-stage sampling technique. The results show that the awareness and level of knowledge of HPV and its vaccines is low. Also, the respondents have a positive attitude towards the HPV vaccines, especially in terms of its benefits and potential to prevent HPV infection. Additionally, the results show that 96.75% of the respondents have not been vaccinated against HPV infections due to lack of prior knowledge of the vaccines, unavailability of the vaccines, and fear of taking the vaccines. Lastly, respondents who are aware of the HPV vaccines are more likely to be vaccinated against HPV infection than the respondents who are not aware (OR = 840.17, p < 0.001). The study concludes that although majority of market women in North-Central Nigeria have a positive attitude towards HPV vaccines, the majority of them have inadequate knowledge and have not been vaccinated against HPV infection. Awareness about HPV infection and its vaccines should be created and circulated using channels such as television and radio, posters, and social networks like friends and family for the actualisation of 90% HPV vaccination target by 2030.