HPV vaccine acceptability in Africa: A systematic review

• Published in: Preventive medicine Vol. 69; pp. 274 - 279
• Main Authors: Cunningham, Melissa S, Davison, Colleen, Aronson, Kristan J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.12.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acceptability; Adolescent; Adult; Africa; Africa South of the Sahara; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Attitudes; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice - ethnology; Human papillomavirus; Humans; Internal Medicine; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Papillomaviridae; Papillomavirus Infections - prevention & control; Papillomavirus Infections - psychology; Papillomavirus Vaccines - administration & dosage; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - psychology; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Prevention and actions; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Review; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - prevention & control; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - psychology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - virology; Vaccination; Vaginal Smears - psychology; Young Adult; Africa; Africa South of the Sahara; Attitudes; Human papillomavirus; Review; Vaccination; Acceptability; Africa; Human; Acceptance; Attitude; Systematic review; Vaccine; Papovaviridae; Papillomavirus; Virus; Prevention; Immunoprophylaxis; Bibliographic review
• ISSN: 0091-7435; 1096-0260
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.08.035

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to provide a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature on the factors associated with HPV vaccine acceptability among adults in African countries. Methods A systematic search was conducted across five electronic databases: EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Global Health and Ovid MEDLINE, to identify studies related to HPV vaccination acceptability in African countries (August 2013). The Health Belief Model was used to guide data abstraction and synthesis. Results Fourteen unique studies representing ten sub-Saharan African countries were identified, with more than half published within the last two years. Acceptability of the HPV vaccine for daughters was high (range 59–100%); however, vaccine-related awareness and knowledge were low. Perceived barriers including accessibility and cost concerns were important for acceptance, as were cues to action from healthcare providers and governments. Conclusions This review suggests that acceptability of the HPV vaccine in countries in this region will be high. Broad knowledge gaps were highlighted regarding HPV and cervical cancer and these should be addressed. Education on the vaccine's effectiveness and reducing perceived barriers to vaccination would also be useful. Public endorsement by governments and healthcare providers will likely also increase acceptance.