Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Cervical Cancer and Its Vaccine Among Adolescent Girls at an Urban Health Training Center in Chhallapura, Datia, Madhya Pradesh: A Community-Based Study

Background Cervical cancer remains a major public health problem, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with limited information on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among urban adolescents. Objectives To assess KAP regarding cervical cancer and HPV vaccination among adolescent girls aged 10 to 19 years and examine associations between sociodemographic factors and knowledge levels. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted over three months among 180 adolescent girls in the Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC) field practice area of Challapura, Datia, Madhya Pradesh. Participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests applied at P < 0.05. Results Late adolescents (aged 17 to 19 years) comprised 94 (52.22%) of participants. Only 42 (23.33%) had knowledge of HPV, while 138 (76.67%) were unaware. The internet was the main source of information, reported by 73 (40.48%), followed by friends (43, 23.81%) and health workers (30, 16.67%). Knowledge of cervical cancer (χ² = 39.09, p < 0.001), HPV infection (χ² = 21.00, p < 0.001), and HPV vaccination (χ² = 11.37, p = 0.003) were significantly associated with age. Attitudes indicated moderate perception of disease severity but lower acceptance of vaccination. The main barriers were lack of awareness reported by 126 (70.0%), lack of healthcare recommendations by 57 (31.7%), and high cost by 38 (21.1%). Conclusion HPV awareness among adolescent girls was low despite moderately favorable attitudes toward prevention. Targeted educational interventions and increased involvement of healthcare providers are needed to improve vaccine awareness and acceptance in urban primary care settings.