UPTAKE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH UPTAKE OF SECOND DOSE OF HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS VACCINE AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN KAWEMPE DIVISION KAMPALA

Abstract

Introduction Cervical cancer is a major public health problem and a leading cause of cancer related deaths among women in Uganda. Cervical cancer is caused by human papilloma virus. The ministry of health introduced HPV vaccine in the national routine immunization program which is given in two doses (HPV-1 and HPV-2 vaccines). Many adolescents receive HPV-1 but miss HPV-2, therefore may not get full protection against the Human papilloma virus. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with uptake of second dose of the human papilloma virus vaccine among adolescent girls in Kawempe division, Uganda. Methods: A cross sectional analytical study was conducted among 550 female adolescent girls. Multi-stage simple random sampling was used to select the parishes and villages with the homes of the parents of the girls. Data were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Uptake of the HPV-2 Vaccine was determined. Bivariate analysis were done using T-tests and chi-square and multivariate analysis conducted inform of binary logistic regressions to determine factors independently associated with uptake of the second dose of HPV Vaccine. Results: The Uptake of the second dose of HPV Vaccine was 44.6% (245/550). The factors associated with HPV-2 Vaccine uptake were: knowledge about HPV vaccination services (AOR= 1.88, 95% CI=1.26-2.79, P=0.002), Satisfaction of adolescent girls about the HPV vaccination services (AOR=1.96, 95% CI=1.10-3.49, P=0.022), access to HPV services by participants (AOR= 1.63, 95% CI=1.13-2.34, P=0.009) and secondary level of education of adolescent girls (AOR= 1.78, 95% CI= 1.15-2.75, P= 0.010). The participants whose parents were more educated were less likely to have had HPV2 Vaccine; Secondary (AOR= 0.36, 95% CI=0.19-0.69, P=0.002) and Tertiary (AOR=0.38, CI=0.19-0.74, P=0.005), Conclusion: The uptake of the second dose of the HPV Vaccine was 44.6 % which is still short of the Uganda national multi-year plan target (2016 to 2020) of achieving the 85% coverage of HPV Vaccines though higher than that of the national annualized coverage of 2016 of 22%. Efforts to improve the uptake of second dose of the HPV Vaccine should focus on strengthening the school outreach programs so that both doses are given at school, bringing on board all the stake holders involved most especially the parents,teachers,health workers and the adolescent girls. The HPV Vaccination cards should be made a requirement for secondary school entry.