Individual level Factors Associated with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine Coverage Among Adolescent Girls in Pastoralist Community of Kajiado North Sub-County, Kajiado County, Kenya

Introduction: Globally, Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the leading cause of ano-genital cancers with cervical cancer as the top cause of cancer deaths in women. Over 90% of these deaths occur in low-income countries where cancer control strategies remain inadequate. The HPV vaccine was introduced in 2019 as a primary prevention strategy targeting girls aged 9 to 14 years. However, vaccine uptake remains suboptimal undermining its population-level impact especially amongst uderserved populations like pastoralists. Uptake of the HPV vaccine has been sub-optimal with only 33% of the targeted population receiving the first dose in 2020 and 16% returning for the 2nd dose. HPV vaccine uptake among pastoralist populations is generally low compared with national averages because pastoralists are mobile, live in remote places often underserved by health systems. While the disruption of vaccination programs by the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the low coverage, other determinants such as low demand associated with individual level factors fueled by misinformation have also play a role.
Objectives: This study assessed the HPV vaccine coverage among adolescents aged (9-14) years in pastoralist communities in Kajiado North, Kajiado County, Kenya.
Methodology: This was an analytical cross-sectional study anchored on Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. Adolescent girls (n=422) aged 9-14 years selected through simple random sampling method constituted the study population. Purposive sampling was used to select Ministry of Health representative. Structured questionnaires were used collect quantitative data while In-depth interviews and Key Informant Interviews collected the qualitative data. SPSS version 28 was used for data analysis. HPV vaccine coverage was summarized in frequencies and proportions. Influence of individual level factors associated with HPV vaccine uptake was determined using chi square and binary logistic regression
Results: Some 41% of the participants had received two doses of HPV vaccine while 70% had receive at least one dose. Age and education had statistically significant associations with uptake of the HPV vaccine. Parent’s/ caretaker’s education and HPV vaccine had statistically significant relationships with uptake of HPV vaccine differed.
Conclusion: This is one among the few studies that focused on the individual level factors associated with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine coverage among adolescent girls in pastoralist communities in Kenya and specifically Kajiado North Sub- County, Kajiado County. Uptake of the HPV vaccine was sub-optimal with only 41% of the targeted population receiving the recommended two doses. Therefore, Ministry of Health and the County Government of Kajiado County and with should develop appropriately tailored messages for communities for upscaling of HPV vaccine uptake.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Vaccine Coverage

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