title: Awareness, knowledge and beliefs about HPV, cervical cancer and HPV vaccines among nurses in Cameroon: an exploratory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While it is known that sub-Saharan African countries face multiple obstacles such as cost in adopting vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), the crucial role nurses can play in implementing such programs has not been adequately examined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the knowledge and awareness of HPV, primary cause of cervical cancer and HPV vaccine among nurses working at four Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services facilities, and to explore what factors influence nurses' willingness to inform and recommend HPV vaccine to adolescents and parents attending clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  A structured questionnaire survey was administered to a convenience sample of nursing staff working at the four health facilities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 192 eligible nurses 76 (39.6%) participated in the study. There were moderately low levels of knowledge about HPV infection and prevention of cervical cancer, but a moderately high level of knowledge about HPV vaccine. Although 90.8% acknowledged that cervical cancer is directly linked to HPV infection, nearly 32% failed to identify it as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), while 43.4% believed it is an uncommon infection. Willingness to recommend the HPV vaccine was moderate, with 69.7% intentionally initiating discussions with patients about the subject. The most important factors considered when deciding to recommend the vaccine included effectiveness (56.6%) and side effects/safety (11.8%). Cost was less of a concern (6.6%), likely due to the availability of donated vaccine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite high awareness about HPV, more education about the virus, cervical cancer and the vaccine are required to further increase nurses' willingness to recommend the vaccine and strengthen strategies for reaching adolescents through nurses in Cameroon.
authors: Northeastern University, United States.
authors: Richard G
authors: RG
authors: Wamai
authors: Claudine Akono
authors: CA
authors: Ayissi
authors: Geofrey O
authors: GO
authors: Oduwo
authors: Stacey
authors: S
authors: Perlman
authors: Edith
authors: E
authors: Welty
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Welty
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Manga
authors: Monica A
authors: MA
authors: Onyango
authors: Javier Gordon
authors: JG
authors: Ogembo
mesh_terms: D052685:Alphapapillomavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001364:Awareness; D002163:Cameroon; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D000068857:Human Papillomavirus Recombinant Vaccine Quadrivalent, Types 6, 11, 16, 18; D006801:Humans; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000068857:Human Papillomavirus Recombinant Vaccine Quadrivalent, Types 6, 11, 16, 18; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
keywords: Cameroon; Cervical cancer; Human papillomavirus virus; Knowledge and attitudes; Nurses; Vaccine