Factors Associated with Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Uptake Among Adolescent Girls in Uganda

ABSTRACT. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has been shown to reduce the HPV-related cervical cancer burden. The aim for the present study was to investigate the factors associated with the uptake of HPV vaccination among adolescent girls aged 13–18 years seeking health services at a health center in Uganda. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Naguru Teenage Information and Health Center, an adolescent clinic of Kiswa Health Center III in Kampala, Uganda. Information was obtained from 134 adolescent girls aged 13–18 years who were seeking services at the center. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with HPV vaccine uptake. The uptake of a single dose of the HPV vaccine was 18.7% (25/134). Factors associated with HPV vaccine uptake included being from an ethnic group such as the Acholi/Lango (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.09–0.6), being from an ethnic group such as Basoga (aPR = 0.2; 95% CI: 0.08–0.8), parents’ level of knowledge (aPR = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1–0.8), perception of HPV vaccine benefits (aPR = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1–0.9), knowledge of the location of the nearest HPV vaccination site (aPR = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1–0.8), distance to the healthcare facility (aPR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.2–0.7), and healthcare worker recommendations (aPR = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1–0.7). The uptake of the HPV vaccine was low. There is a need to conduct awareness campaigns for parents, adolescents, and the community about the benefits of the HPV vaccine. This will increase HPV vaccine uptake and reduce the burden of cervical cancer in the community.