Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions Regarding HPV Vaccination Among women attending the VIA center at a District-Level Hospital in Bangladesh

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women in low- and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh. HPV vaccination is a proven primary preventive measure; however, uptake is influenced by community-level knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP). Understanding these factors among women attending cervical cancer screening clinics is essential to guide national prevention strategies. Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding HPV infection and HPV vaccination among women attending the Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) center at a district-level hospital in Bangladesh. Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 155 women attending the VIA center of the 250-Bed General Hospital, Tangail, from January to December 2023. Participants were recruited through consecutive sampling. Data were collected via a pre-tested, semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics and KAP components. Descriptive statistics summarized the variables, while associations between sociodemographic factors and KAP levels were examined using chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: Only 25.16% of women had ever heard of HPV, and awareness of HPV vaccination was similarly low (30.32%). Knowledge of appropriate vaccination age and availability was extremely limited (<6%). Positive attitudes toward HPV vaccination were uncommon; only 10.32% agreed that it should be included in the national immunization schedule. Despite low awareness, willingness to vaccinate adolescent daughters and recommend vaccination to family members was high (94.8%). HPV vaccine uptake was poor, with only 5.16% ever vaccinated. Education showed a significant association with good knowledge (p < 0.001), positive attitudes (p = 0.002), and favorable perceptions (p = 0.015). Conclusion: The present study demonstrates substantial gaps in knowledge and awareness of HPV and its vaccine among women attending a district-level VIA center in Bangladesh, despite high expressed willingness to vaccinate. Educational interventions, improved counseling at screening clinics, and integration of HPV vaccination awareness into routine reproductive health services are urgently needed to enhance vaccine uptake and support national cervical cancer prevention efforts.