Abstract:

It can be asserted that knowing where adolescents gain information about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines can be helpful in planning public health interventions aimed at promoting HPV vaccination. This study assessed the following: exposure to specific sources of information about HPV vaccines, self-reported helpfulness of these sources of information, and whether the specific source of information was linked to knowledge about HPV vaccine amongst adolescents. It was discovered that most of the adolescent’s access information about HPV from sources that included Media (Internet, TV, Radio, and Newspapers) and individual (Doctors/nurses, parents/guardians, teachers and peers). However, sources such as TV, Doctors/nurses and Radio were rated to be ineffective in disseminating information. It should be noted that in order to increase awareness of HPV and the vaccine, there is need to fully understand and utilise sources that adolescents are mostly in contact with and easily accessible. Such information sources greatly influence the decisions and actions that adolescents take in their life endeavours. Insufficient access to information about HPV and the vaccine will continue to contribute to the increase in cervical cancer cases in the country. Therefore, more effort is needed to ensure that the adolescents receive the information needed with regards to HPV vaccination.

Keywords: human papillomavirus vaccine, adolescents, knowledge, perceptions, information.

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