Peer-reviewed article

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

Tessema LW, Chekol YM, Simegn MB, Fekadu SA, Asnake C et al. · 2 Apr 2026

Abstract

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 A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from April 2025 to June 2025 in Gambella town, Southwest, Ethiopia. The collected data were entered into EpiData version 4.6 and then exported to STATA statistical software version 17 for cleaning, coding, and formal analysis. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were used to examine the association. Odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and p-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.