Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Infection and Vaccination: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among Young Adults Attending Universities in Cameroon

Aims: This study was initiated to assess the knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccination, attitudes towards HPV vaccines, as well as risky sexual practices of young university students towards HPV infection.

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that included university-going young adults of both sexes, aged 18 to 25 years.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in four randomly selected state universities, located in different geographic regions of Cameroon. The study took place between April and July 2022.

Methodology: The survey instrument was a self-administered anonymous questionnaire. Participants were randomly given questionnaires to be completed. Data was imported into SPSS version 23 software for analyses. Participants were categorised into one of two groups - poor level of knowledge and good level of knowledge, depending on the number of correct answers to 7 questions about knowledge of HPV infection and vaccination. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to examine differences in parameters.

Results: 1263 questionnaires were returned. Most participants (78.9%) were undergraduates aged 20 - 21 years (32.7%). Overall, just 87/1263 (6.9%) of participants had a good knowledge of HPV infection and vaccination, most of whom were females (56.7%). Educational level (OR 3.11, 95% CI (1.24 – 7.85), P = .02), field of study (OR 0.42, 95% CI (0.17 – 1.04), P = .04) and plans to become vaccinated (OR 0.33, 95% CI (0.14 – 0.76), P = .009) were predictors of good knowledge of HPV. Attitudes towards HPV vaccination were overall positive. 71.9% participants were sexually active, most of whom only used condoms sometimes (47.2%).

Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for educational programs and public health policies targeted to this age bracket, to increase students’ awareness of the risks associated with HPV infection as this can potentially increase the vaccination rate in the country.