Practice and associated factors of human papillomavirus vaccination among primary school students in Minjar-Shenkora district, north Shoa zone, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia, 2020

Background: Human papillomavirus infection, a causative factor for cervical cancer, remains a topic of great interest. About 80% of sexually active women are at risk of acquiring HPV infection while having a 70% global target to eliminate intensive cervical cancer. Objective: This study aimed to assess the practice of human papillomavirus vaccination and associated factors among primary school female students in Minjar-Shenkora district, 2020. Methods: A school-based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1 to 30 2020, in primary school female students of Minjar-Shenkora district, North Shoa zone, Ethiopia. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Associations between dependent and independent variables tested in binary and multiple logistic regression and variables with p-value ≤0.25 were entered into multiple logistic regression with considered significant level of P-value ≤0.05 and at 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: A total of 591 students participated in the study with a response rate of 96.3%. Of the total, 393 (66.5%) (CI 0.63–0.7) participants have been vaccinated for HPV. The factors associated with the practice of vaccination were; being knowledgeable about HPV vaccination (AOR, 8.65, CI=5.2–14.3) and a positive attitude towards HPV vaccination (AOR, 1.85, CI=1.18–3). Students in rural areas were 88% less likely to practice HPV vaccine than students in urban areas (AOR, 0.12, CI=0.07 0.21). Conclusion and Recommendation: Overall, HPV vaccination practice was relatively good (66.5%). Knowledge on HPV vaccination, positive attitude towards HPV vaccination, and being a rural residence were associated with HPV vaccination practice. Families, healthcare workers, and schools should work together to improve the knowledge and attitude of the community towards HPV vaccination.