Assessment of Knowledge About Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Primary School Girls in Arba Minch Town, South Ethiopia, 2020 an Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Eshetu Yisihak Ukumo,1 Feleke Gebremeskel Woldehawariat,2 Samuel Abebe Dessalegn,1 Desta Markos Minamo,2 Gebresilasea Gendisha Ukke1 1Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; 2School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Eshetu Yisihak Ukumo, Tel +251926266071, Email eshetuyisihak@gmail.comPurpose: This study aimed to determine the knowledge of human papillomavirus vaccination (PHV) and associated factors among primary school girls in Arba Minch town, South Ethiopia, in 2020. Hence, the levels of knowledge towards the HPV vaccination of girls were assessed and recommended to the concerned bodies. Clinically, this study could increase the acceptance of HPV vaccination after the intervention of the concerned bodies to improve adolescents’ knowledge levels. As a result, it could decrease the incidence of cervical cancer. Socially, this study may increase the research involvement of adolescents, communities, and stakeholder groups.Patients and Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study involving 537 female students was conducted on January 24, 2020. The study participants were selected by a simple random sampling technique. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect the data. The logistic regression model was used to identify the statistically significant variables for knowledge of the human papillomavirus vaccination.Results: The overall knowledge level of the participants in this study was 71.7%. Their main source of information is social media (41.74%), followed by medical staff (29.69%). Age ≥ 15 years old, AOR =3.74, 95% CI (2.20_6.37), P-value < 0.001, grade level of 7 and 8, AOR =3.98, 95% CI (2.40_6.58), P-value < 0.001, mother’s educational status of secondary and more than secondary, and father’s educational status of more than secondary, AOR=13.60, 95% CI (5.69_32.53) P-value < 0.001, 22.27, 95% CI (8.23_60.30), P-value< 0.001, 2.18, 95% CI (1.09_4.35), P-value 0.03, respectively, and access to HPV vaccination information (AOR = 8.65, 95% CI (3.92_19.07), P-value 0.001) were associated with overall knowledge.Conclusion: Nearly three-fourths of the study participants were knowledgeable about human papillomavirus vaccination. Knowledge about the human papillomavirus vaccination shows a positive association with age, education level, parents’ educational status, and access to information sources.Keywords: cervical cancer, human papillomavirus