Factor Influencing Knowledge and Attitude Toward Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Among Adolescent Girls in Gambella Town, Southwest Ethiopia: A Community‐Based Cross‐Sectional Study

Background and Aims: The human papillomavirus vaccine is a proven preventive measure against cervical cancer. Globally, HPV vaccine uptake remains low, and the problem is particularly serious in middle- and low-income countries. There is limited evidence on knowledge and attitudes toward the HPV vaccine in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aims to assess the knowledge and attitudes of adolescent girls regarding the HPV vaccine in Gambella town, Ethiopia. Methods: -values < 0.05 were deemed statistically significant. Results: In this study, 57.09% of the participants had good knowledge, and 55.6% showed favorable attitudes toward the HPV vaccine. Factors associated with knowledge of HPV vaccine include religion, wealth index, educational status, mother's occupational status, health care, mass media, peers, attending school, having a mobile phone, and mother's education. Factors independently associated with attitudes toward HPV vaccine included knowledge, attending school, mother education, family size, receiving information from school about HPV, mother education, and wealth index. Conclusion: In this study, 57.09% of participants demonstrated good knowledge and 55.6% expressed favorable attitudes toward the HPV vaccine. Enhancing school-based education, mass media engagement, and family involvement is essential to improve HPV vaccine uptake and reduce cervical cancer burden among adolescent girls.