Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Hesitancy among Teenage Girls in Nigeria: A Narrative Review

Authors

  • Dalhatu Muhammad Ahmad Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • Nneka Catherine Anozie Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • Emeka Christian Nwankwo Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • Ajibo Thompson Otsapa Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • Mustapha Usman Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • Muhammad Haruna Rasheed National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Idowu Makinde Africa Field Epidemiology Network, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Aminu M Salaudeen Africa Field Epidemiology Network, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Benjamin Mari Aya National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Ismail Ndalami Salihu National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Mustapha Mohammed Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51412/psnnjp.2025.44

Keywords:

HPV, HPV vaccine, vaccine hesitancy, Nigeria, teenage girl

Abstract

Background: Despite the high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervicalcancer in Nigeria, the uptake of the HPV vaccine, a proven preventive measure against these conditions, remains limited. This narrative review aimed to comprehensively assess and synthesize existing evidence on the barriers to HPV vaccine uptake among teenage girls in Nigeria. Furthermore, this review highlights various strategies to overcome these barriers and enhance vaccine acceptance.

Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted across PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords such as “HPV vaccine,” “vaccine hesitancy,” “Nigeria,” and “teenage girls.” Studies published between January 2019 and August 2024 that addressed this topic were included in the review.

Results: Key factors limiting HPV vaccine uptake, including cost, limited availability and accessibility, inadequate awareness, and sociocultural and religious influences, among others, were identified.

Conclusion: To address these barriers, this review highlights the importance of increasing awareness, targeted advocacy, effective communication strategies, uninterrupted vaccine availability, and improved accessibility. Implementing these measures is essential for enhancing HPV vaccine uptake and ultimately reducing the burden of HPV-related diseases in Nigeria.

Author Biographies

Dalhatu Muhammad Ahmad, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Tel: +2348131010352

 

Ajibo Thompson Otsapa, Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Department of Internal Medicine, Federal teaching Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria

 

Benjamin Mari Aya, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria

Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria

 

Ismail Ndalami Salihu, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria

Heller School of Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA USA

 

References

1. Akande OW, Akande TM. Human Papillomavirus Vaccination amongst Students in a Tertiary Institution in North Central Nigeria: A Crosssectional Study on Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Its Awareness, Uptake and Willingness to Pay. Niger Postgrad Med J. 2024; 31(1):14. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_265_23

2. Egbon M, Ojo T, Aliyu A, Bagudu ZS. Challenges and lessons from a school-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program for adolescent girls in a rural Nigerian community. BMC Publi c He a lth. 2022;22(1). doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13975-3

3. Iliyasu Z, Galadanci HS, Muhammad A, Iliyasu BZ, Umar AA, Aliyu MH. Correlates of human papillomavirus vaccine knowledge and acceptability among medical and allied health students in Northern Nigeria. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2021; 42(3): 452 - 460. doi:10.1080/01443615.2021.1910639

4. Enebe JT, Enebe NO, Agunwa CC, et al. Awareness, acceptability and uptake of cervical cancer vaccination services among female secondary school teachers in Enugu, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study. Pan Afr Med J. 2021;39:62. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2021.39.62.28824

5. Onowhakpor AO, Omuemu VO, Osagie OL, Odili CG. Human Papilloma Virus vaccination: knowledge, attitude and uptake among female medical and dental students in a tertiary institution in Benin-City, Nigeria. J Community Med Prim Health Care. 2016;28(2):101-108.

6. John-Akinola YO, Ndikom CM, Oluwasanu MM, Adebisi T, Odukoya O. Cervical Cancer and Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Knowledge, Utilisation, Prevention Educational Interventions and Policy Response in Nigeria: A Scoping Review. Cancer Control. 2022; 29: 107327482211301. doi: 10.1177/10732748221130180

7. Agha S, Bernard D, Francis S, Fareed A, Ifeanyi Nsofor. Determinants of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Acceptance among Caregivers in Nigeria: A Fogg Behavior Model-Based Approach. Vaccines. 2024; 12(1): 84 - 84. doi: 10.3390/vaccines12010084

8. Salihu IN, Sekitto S, Aya BM, et al. Cost of Introducing Human Papillomavirus Vaccination into Nigeria's Expanded Program o n

Immunization: Lessons from Two Nigerian States. Authorea (Authorea). Published online January 24, 2025. doi: 10.22541/au.173771153.34034741/v1

9. Balogun FM, Omotade OO. Parental intention to vaccinate adolescents with HPV vaccine in selected communities in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria: an application of Integrated Behavioral Model. Hum Vaccin & Immunother. 2022;18(5). doi: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2069959

10. Elebiyo OT. Knowledge, attitude, and uptake of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine among parents of adolescents attending outpatient clinic at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Afr J Reprod Health. 2023;27(3):108-117. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2023/v27i3.12

11. Azuogu B, Umeokonkwo C, Azuogu V, Onwe O, Okedo-Alex I, Egbuji C. Appraisal of willingness to vaccinate daughters with human papilloma virus vaccine and cervical cancer screening uptake among mothers of adolescent students in Abakaliki, Nigeria. Niger J Clin Pract. 2019;22(9):1286. doi: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_452_18

12. Oluwasola T, Bello O, Odukogbe A. Awareness and attitude of female undergraduates toward human papillomavirus vaccine in Ibadan. Trop J Obstet Gynaecol. 2019;36(1):33. doi: 10.4103/tjog.tjog_7_19

13. Balogun FM, Omotade OO, Svensson M. Stated pr e f e r enc e s for human papillomavirus vaccination for adolescents in selected communities in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria: A discrete choice experiment. Hum Vaccin & Immunother. 2022; 18(6). doi:

10.1080/21645515.2022.2124091

14. Rabiu I, Yahuza Z. Knowledge and Attitude towards Human Papilloma Virus Infection, Vaccines, and Cervical Cancer Prevention among School Students in Kano, Nigeria. Adv Virol. 2023; 2023: e2803420. doi : 10.1155/2023/2803420

15. Ohaeri B, Adefolaju A, Onyeneho C. Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of Nigerian parents towards human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines. Eur J Midwifery. 2020;4(January). doi: 10.18332/ejm/114886

16. Ndikom CM, Oboh P. Perception, acceptance and uptake of Human papillomavirus vaccine among female adolescents in selected secondary schools in Ibadan, Nigeria. Afr J Biomed Res. 2017;20(3):237-244.

17. Balogun FM, Omotade OO. Facilitators and barriers of healthcare workers' recommendation of HPV vaccine for adolescents in Nigeria: views through the lens of theoretical domains framework. BMC Health Serv Res. 2022;22(1). doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-08224-7

18. Okunowo AA, Ugwu AO, Kuku JO, et al. Predictors, barriers and motivating factors for human papillomavirus vaccination and testing as preventive measures for cervical cancer: A study of urban women in Lagos, Nigeria. Prev Med Rep. 2021; 24: 101643. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101643

19. Makwe CC, Anorlu RI, Odeyemi KA. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccines: Knowledge, attitude and perception among female students at the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria. J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2012;2(4):199-206. doi: 10.1016/j.jegh.2012.11.001

20. Ezeanochie M, Olasimbo P. Awareness and uptake of human papillomavirus vaccines among female secondary school students in Benin City, Nigeria. Afri Health Sci. 2020;20(1):45-50. doi: 10.4314/ahs.v20i1.8

21. Nguyen NY, Okeke E, Anglemyer A, Brock T. Identifying Perceived Barriers to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination as a Preventative Strategy for Cervical Cancer in Nigeria. Ann Glob Health. 2020;86(1):118. doi: 10.5334/aogh.2890

22. Wilson R. HPV vaccine acceptance in West Africa: A systematic literature review. Vaccine. 2021; 39(37): 5277 - 284. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.06.074

Downloads

    Views | PDF Downloads:
7 / 1

Published

2025-10-30

How to Cite

Ahmad, D. M., Anozie, N. C., Nwankwo, E. C., Otsapa, A. T., Usman, M., Rasheed, M. H., … Mohammed, M. (2025). Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Hesitancy among Teenage Girls in Nigeria: A Narrative Review. The Nigerian Journal of Pharmacy, 59(2), 446 – 456. https://doi.org/10.51412/psnnjp.2025.44

Issue

Vol. 59 No. 2 (2025): The Nigerian Journal of Pharmacy

Section

Review Article

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Most read articles by the same author(s)