Hermann NGOUAKAM1, Erasmous NEBA NDONWI1 , Theophile NANA NJAMEN2
1University of Buea, Cameroon; 2General Hospital, Douala
CaHReF 2018, Yaoundé Congres hall, 08 – 11 January 2019 , OAEI015
Background: The incidence rate of Human papilloma virus (HPV) related cervical cancer in Cameroon is still very high (19.4%) and the infections can successfully be prevented by vaccination, which is available at affordable cost but not yet implemented in the national vaccination programme. Parents play a very important role in prevention.
Objectif: to determine parents' willingness to support female children (13-18years) in the Tiko Health District (THD) towards uptake of the vaccine against HPV
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done between November 2017 and May 2018, among parents and their daughters in four health areas in the THD: Holforth, Missellele, Mutengene, and Tiko town. A total of 840 participants (420 pairs, each made up of parent and daughter) completed the questionnaires. A multi-stage sampling method was used to select the respondents. Ethical clearance and administrative authorizations were duly obtained. Informed consent and assent were saught from the participants. Data collected were cleaned and analysed through SPSS version 20 and EPI info 7.1. Bivariate analysis was conducted at 95% confidence interval.
Results: Less than half (36.3%; 95%CI: 31.7 – 41.2) of the parents were willing to support the uptake of thevaccine against HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 by their daughters. There was a statistically significant association between parents that were willing to support the uptake of HPV vaccine and their daughters' willingness to take up the HPV vaccine (x2=8.69, p=0.003). A Bivariate analyses indicated that being older than 40 years (AOR=1.95; 95%CI: 1.20-3.13), more educated (AOR=13.6; 95%CI: 3.01-61.11), and girl's relationship with parent (AOR=0.43; 95%CI: 0.19-0.96)were predictors of parents' willingness to support their daughters in the uptake of the HPV vaccine.
Conclusion/Recommandation:The proportion of parents in the Tiko Health District that are willing to support their daughters in the uptake of the vaccine against HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 was low (36.3%). Educational campaigns should be carried out through radio, newspaper, TV, social media, schools and churches to sensitize parents and their daughter(s) on cervical cancer and its consequences, HPV infection and the importance of taking up vaccine on time.
Key Words: Cervical cancer, Parents' support, Willingness, Uptake.