ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors associated with health seeking and prevention of human papilloma virus infection. Three (3) research questions and hypotheses were raised to solve the research problems. The research employs exploratory, survey and descriptive research methods using quantitative and qualitative analysis. The population of this study comprises of all the female students at Babcock University High School Ilishan remo, Ogun State. The sample size of this research comprises of two hundred and twenty (220) respondents using random sampling technique. The data employed for this study is the primary data obtained through the use of questionnaire.  Findings revealed that awareness and knowledge on HPV, cervical cancer and vaccination were generally fairly good and marked by the fact that many of them are aware of HPV infection, Pap smear test and cervical cancer. Majority of the respondents believe the vaccine is not available in their school while many believe the vaccine is available in Nigeria. The study recommends that there are things that still need to be done in educating the population about HPV, cancer of the cervix and HPV vaccine, in view of the poor knowledge demonstrated by some students.

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

Background of study

Since 2006, human papilloma virus(HPV) Vaccination has become available to adolescents girls in several countries  to protect against virus causing cervical cancer. Human papilloma virus is what many people especially the adolescents are not aware of and this is because the vaccine is not embraced by parents. Prents feel the children shouldn’t get the vaccine in other not to be exposed to sexual practices. HPV is characterised by having more than one sexual partners , early sexual activities, parents unawareness, stigmatization of the vaccine and promiscuity. The HPV is a virus in the genital area that is sexually transmitted which both men and women get infected and pass the virus.

According to Garland and Smith (2010) and Pomfret, Gagnon found that two HPV vaccines are available which are Cervarix and Gardasil. The cervarix is a bivalent HPV vaccine which targets types 16 and 18 which are responsible for nearly 70% of all the cervical cancer cases while Gardasil, a quqdrivalent vaccine which targets type 6 and 11 and this cause nearly 90% of anogenital warts( Bonanni, Boccalini, Bechini 2009).

Skinner and copper (2010) acknowledged that most acceptable way to achieve high uptake of vaccine is to offer voluntary school based vaccination, The two vaccines are to be taken in three doses and this is to be delivered intramuscularly at intervals of 0, 2 and 6 months (Garland SM, Smith, 2010).

HPV Vaccinations of adolescent girls( ideally before they become sexually active) is currently recommended in many developed countrie s and nationally or regionally funded vaccination programs for HPV are common (Lai P et al, 2011). The Human papilloma virus is the casual agent for cervical cancers and other cancers of anogenital area (Walboomers, Jacobs MV, 1999).

It is estimated that at least 50% of women with an active sexual life have a genital HPV infection at some time during their lives (Koutsky L, 1997). Also, some strategies for primary prevention of HPV infection are sexually abstinence or mutually monogamous relationship between uninfected partner.