Community Factors associated with Initiation to HPV Vaccination among Adolescent Girls aged 9 to 17 years in Eastern Uganda. A Cross-sectional Study

Fred  Wangwa

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v3i9.127

Authors

Fred Wangwa Bugema University P.O.Box. 6529 Kampala Uganda.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v3i9.127

Keywords:

Community Factors, HPV Vaccination, Adolescent Girls

Abstract

Background

Initiation to the HPV vaccine is critical in the prevention of cervical cancer and failure to receive vaccines as recommended may aggravate the disease burden on the female population. Unfortunately, evidence indicates that initiation to HPV vaccination is still very low in Mbale district, Uganda, and sub-Saharan Africa at large. Hence this study was conducted to document the Community factors associated with the Initiation of HPV Vaccination among Adolescent girls aged 9 to 17 years in Eastern Uganda.

Methodology:

The study adopted a population-based cross-sectional study design in which questionnaires were used in the data collection process. The data were analyzed in STATA.

Results:

Family support and the caretaker’s average monthly income range were the factors that had a significant association with the initiation of HPV. The rest of the community factors did not show a significant association with initiation to HPV vaccination as they had p-values

Conclusion:

Community factors play a role in influencing caretakers towards initiation to HPV vaccination when assessed in isolation. Also, factors significantly influence the caretaker’s decision to initiate their adolescent girls to HPV vaccination.

Recommendations

Community health inspectors should adopt the role of sensitization about HPV vaccination against cervical cancer in adolescent girls within the recommended age range of 9 to 14 years as they perform their community health inspection roles.

Author Biography

Fred Wangwa, Bugema University P.O.Box. 6529 Kampala Uganda.

The author was born on the 25^th of December 1985 to Mr. and Mrs. John and Suzan Makombe of Mbale district in eastern Uganda. He went to Bumbobi Primary School for primary education.

The author attained his certificate of education from Entebbe Secondary School, Then he attended a course in BCP from Bungokho rural development center where he excelled, and after joined All Nations Theological College and Seminary for three years and was awarded an Advanced Diploma in Bible and Theology. After that, the author proceeded to Bugema University, undertaking a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Counseling, where he excelled and was awarded a first-class degree.

The author has worked with various faith-based organizations, holding leadership positions, the most current being CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda where he is the director of Spiritual ministries.