Willingness to Accept Human Papillomavirus Vaccine and its Associated Factors Among Parents with Eligible Daughters in Asella Town. A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study, 2024

Abstract

Abstract Background: Human Papillomavirus, is the most widespread viral infection affecting the reproductive system and can lead to various conditions, such as precancerous lesions that might advance to cancer. Even though these vaccines are available free of charge, the level of acceptance is not uniform across different population groups. Objective: the main objective of this study was to assess the level of willingness to accept Human papillomavirus vaccine among parents for their eligible daughters and its associated factors in Asella town, Arsi Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Methods: a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 31 to November 09/2024 in selected Kebeles of Asella town. A total of 500 study participants were selected from randomly selected kebeles. Three trained data collectors collected the data by using Kobo ToolBox and they were supervised by the principal investigator. The collected data were exported to statistical package for social science version 25 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were made. Variables having p-value <=0.25 in bivariable analysis were selected as a candidate variable for multivariable analysis. Level of significance was declared using p-value<=0.05, crude and adjusted odds ratios along with their 95% confidence interval. Results: the level of parental willingness to accept HPV vaccine for their daughters was 69.6%, (95% CI, 65.3, 73.6%). Father being private employee 7.24(AOR 95% CI, 1.74, 30.11) and government employee 3.81(AOR 95% CI, 1.73, 8.40), occupation of the mother being private employee 2.61 (AOR 95% CI, 1.04, 6.58) and merchant 4.94 (AOR 95% CI, 1.77, 13.79), having good level of knowledge 2.45 (AOR 95% CI, 1.11, 5.53) and positive attitude 12.73 (AOR 95% CI, 3.21, 50.57) were significantly and independently associated with parental willingness to accept HPV vaccine for their daughters. Conclusion and recommendations: the level of parental willingness to accept HPV vaccine for their daughters was suboptimal in the study area. Mother and fathers occupation, having positive attitude and good level of knowledge were associated with parental willingness to accept HPV vaccine for their daughters. Awareness creation and targeted interventions are needed to increase the level of parental willingness to accept human papillomavirus vaccine for their daughters.