Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus and Acceptability to Vaccinate in Adolescents and Young Adults of the Moroccan Population

Yassine Zouheir; Samira Daouam; Salsabil Hamdi; Abdelaaziz Alaoui; Taoufiq Fechtali

doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2015.11.002

Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus and Acceptability to Vaccinate in Adolescents and Young Adults of the Moroccan Population

J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2016 Jun;29(3):292-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2015.11.002. Epub 2015 Nov 21.

Authors

Yassine Zouheir¹, Samira Daouam², Salsabil Hamdi³, Abdelaaziz Alaoui⁴, Taoufiq Fechtali³

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Neurosciences, Integrated Diseases and Natural Substances, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, Hassan II University, Mohammedia, Morocco. Electronic address: yassinezouheir@gmail.com.
² Casablanca, Morocco.
³ Laboratory of Neurosciences, Integrated Diseases and Natural Substances, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, Hassan II University, Mohammedia, Morocco.
⁴ Laboratory of Biotechnology, Valorisation and Protection of AgroResources, Faculty of Science and Technology, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco.

PMID: 26612116
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2015.11.002

Abstract

Study objective: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is estimated to play an etiologic role in 99.7% of cervical cancer. Vaccines can prevent up to 70% of the cervical cancer caused by HPV 16 and 18. The present study was designed to define the knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine acceptability among Moroccan youth. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A nationwide anonymous questionnaire with a sample of 688 adolescents (12-17 years) and 356 young adults (18-30 years) was organized, that asked about HPV, origin of cervical cancer, Papanicolaou (Pap) test, and acceptability of HPV vaccine. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods.

Results: Overall, a low frequency (213/1044 = 20%) of HPV knowledge was observed among the studied population. A multivariate model analysis showed that age, educational level, and knowledge of the Pap test remained significantly associated factors with HPV knowledge. Additionally, only 27% (282/1044) of participants were willing to accept HPV vaccination. Highest acceptability was observed among young adults compared with adolescents (166/356 = 46.6% vs 116/688 = 16.9%). Sixty-two percent (103/165) of male participants accepted the HPV vaccine compared with only 20.4% (179/879) of female participants. Educational level, type of school, and knowledge of the Pap test were associated factors with HPV vaccine acceptability in a multivariate model analysis.

Conclusion: The present study showed a low level of HPV knowledge and HPV vaccine acceptability among Moroccan youth. Promotion of activities and sensitization are required to maximize public awareness in the future. This objective can be achieved with the use of media, active efforts by health care providers, and introduction of sexual education in school programs.

Keywords: Acceptability; Adolescents; Human papillomavirus vaccine; Knowledge.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Male
Morocco
Multivariate Analysis
Papanicolaou Test / psychology
Papillomaviridae*
Papillomavirus Infections / prevention & control
Papillomavirus Infections / psychology*
Papillomavirus Vaccines*
Schools
Surveys and Questionnaires
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / prevention & control
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / psychology
Vaccination / psychology*
Young Adult

Substances

Papillomavirus Vaccines