Factors associated with uptake of Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine among school girls aged 9-14 years in Lira City northern Uganda: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Cervical cancer is the principal burden of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections and a public health priority. Since 2008, HPV vaccination has been routinely recommended for pre-adolescents and adolescent girls in Uganda as the primary preventive measure for cervical cancer. However, in Uganda, most especially Lira district there is limited literature on HPV vaccination uptake and associated factors among girls aged 9-14years. This study assessed the uptake of HPV vaccine and associated factors among in-school girls aged 9–14 years in Lira City northern Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 primary school girls aged 9–14 years in Lira City, west northern Uganda. Multistage sampling technique was used to sample eligible participants and data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Results HPV vaccination uptake was at 19.6% among the school girls aged 9–14 years in Lira City west northern Uganda. The mean age of the girls was 12.11 (± 1.651) years. Individual factors that were found significantly associated with HPV vaccination included; age of 12–14 years [cOR 5.40, 95% CI (2.04–14.24), P = 0.001], Ever had about the vaccine [cOR: 2.05, 95% CI (0.26–3.50), P = 0.021], taught about cervical cancer at school [cOR: 11.54, 95% CI (4.91–33.89), P = 0.021]. Health system related factors that were found to be associated with HPV uptake; Availability of the vaccines at Health Facilities [cOR: 7.88, 95% CI (2.92–10.32), P = 0.002], Received health workers recommendation [cOR: 3.2, 95% CI (0.93–7.82), P = 0.000]. Conclusion Findings indicate that HPV vaccine uptake was very low. The ministry of health should strategize more on increasing awareness on HPV vaccination to young girls and their care takers in Lira City especially through collaborating with different schools though not neglecting the out of school girls.