title: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccines: knowledge, attitude and perception among female students at the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to determine knowledge of and attitude towards human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, HPV-related diseases and HPV vaccines among female undergraduate students at the University of Lagos.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-administered questionnaire was administered between May and July 2010, to 368 female students aged 16-29years, who were selected from two faculties of the University of Lagos using two-stage sampling method. Data collected included: socio-demographic characteristics, sexual history, awareness and knowledge of HPV infection, cervical cancer and genital warts, and HPV vaccine; the perceived risk of acquiring genital HPV infection and developing cervical cancer or genital warts, and the willingness to receive an HPV vaccine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 64 (17.7%) and 52 (14.4%) of the students had ever heard of HPV infection and HPV vaccines respectively. The median HPV knowledge on a 15-item score was 2. Overall, only 11.1% knew that genital HPV infection can cause cervical cancer. Fourteen (6.9%) of those who were aware of cervical cancer agreed they were at risk of developing the disease. Of the 52 students who had heard of the HPV vaccine, 24 (46.2%) knew it was given for cervical cancer prevention and 30 (57.7%) expressed their willingness to receive the vaccine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The knowledge of and the perceived susceptibility to HPV infection and HPV-related diseases among female students in the University of Lagos were generally low. The need for a well-designed HPV-educational program to bridge the knowledge gap cannot be overemphasized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos/Lagos University Teaching Hospital, P.M.B. 12003, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria. makwe285@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Christian Chigozie
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Makwe
authors.forename: Rose Ihuoma
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Anorlu
authors.forename: Kofoworola Abimbola
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Odeyemi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010465:Perception; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
keywords: Female students; HPV vaccine; Human papillomavirus; Knowledge; Nigeria