Awareness of cervical cancer and willingness to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus in Mozambican adolescent girls

• Published in: Papillomavirus research 2018-06, Vol.5, p.156-162
• Main Authors: Bardají, Azucena, Mindu, Carolina, Augusto, Orvalho J., Casellas, Aina, Cambaco, Olga, Simbine, Egas, Matsinhe, Graça, Macete, Eusébio, Menéndez, Clara, Sevene, Esperança, Munguambe, Khátia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Awareness and acceptability; Cervical cancer; Cervix cancer; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Càncer de coll uterí; Female; Health Education - statistics & numerical data; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Human papillomavirus; Humans; Immunization Programs; Mozambique; Papillomaviridae - isolation & purification; Papillomavirus Infections - prevention & control; Papillomavirus Vaccines - administration & dosage; Papillomaviruses; Papil·lomavirus; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Surveys and Questionnaires; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - prevention & control; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - virology; Vaccination - statistics & numerical data; Vaccine; Young Adult
• ISSN: 2405-8521; 2405-8521
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pvr.2018.04.004

Sub-Saharan Africa concentrates the largest burden of cervical cancer worldwide. The introduction of the HPV vaccination in this region is urgent and strategic to meet global health targets. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Mozambique prior to the first round of the HPV vaccine demonstration programme. It targeted girls aged 10–19 years old identified from schools and households. Face-to-face structured interviews were conducted. A total of 1147 adolescents were enrolled in three selected districts of the country. Most girls [84% (967/1147)] had heard of cervical cancer, while 76% believed that cervical cancer could be prevented. However only 33% (373/1144) of girls recognized having ever heard of HPV. When girls were asked whether they would accept to be vaccinated if a vaccine was available in Mozambique, 91% (1025/1130) answered positively. Girls from the HPV demonstration districts showed higher awareness on HPV and cervical cancer, and willingness to be vaccinated. This study anticipates high acceptability of the HPV vaccine in Mozambique and high awareness about cervical cancer, despite low HPV knowledge. These results highlight that targeted health education programmes are critical for acceptance of new tools, and are encouraging for the reduction of cervical cancer related mortality and morbidity in Mozambique. •Cervical cancer incidence rates in Mozambique are among the highest in the world.•Introduction of HPV vaccination in Mozambique is an urgent and necessary strategy to meet global targets on women´s health.•The awareness on cervical cancer, and anticipated acceptance of HPV vaccination was assessed in Mozambican adolescent girls.•The study anticipates high acceptability of HPV vaccine and adequate awareness about cervical cancer.•These results are timely in the context towards the implementation of the HPV vaccine at a national scale in Mozambique.