Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination and Cervical Cancer Prevention: Ghanaian Adolescent Students’ Perspectives Through Focus Group Discussion

Abrefah, Emmanuel; Agyei-Baffour, Peter; Owusu, Alex Barimah; Commeh, Mary E.; Koranteng, Adofo; Elizondo, Anjelica Cohapb; Asare, Matthew

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.10.3679

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination and Cervical Cancer Prevention: Ghanaian Adolescent Students’ Perspectives Through Focus Group Discussion

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Public Health, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences Baylor University, One Bear Place, Waco, TX 97343, USA.

² School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

³ Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.

⁴ Ghana Health Services, Non-Communicable Disease Control, Accra, Ghana.

10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.10.3679

Abstract

Background: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is effective in reducing HPV-related cancers. However, little is known about Ghanaian adolescents’ attitudes toward HPV vaccination. We examined the perspectives of Ghanaian adolescent students on HPV vaccination. Methods: We conducted four focus group discussions with students from School A (n=15), School B (n=20), School C (n=10), and School D (n=14) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Ten open-ended questions guided the discussions. Two independent coders transcribed and analyzed the data thematically using NVivo software. Results: Fifty-nine students (mean age: 14.97 years, SD = 1.55) participated. Thematic analysis revealed: (a) low knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccines, but strong general belief in vaccine benefits; (b) barriers such as fear of side effects (e.g., pain, death), misconceptions (e.g., infertility, “destroying the womb”), and vaccine cost; (c) facilitators including perceived vaccine effectiveness, social influences (parents, doctors, friends), school-based education, and altruistic motives; and (d) lack of adolescent-parent communication, though students expressed willingness to initiate conversations when informed. These insights highlight the socio-cultural and informational gaps that may impact vaccine uptake. Conclusion: Findings highlight the urgent need for culturally relevant, school-based HPV education programs in Ghana. Interventions should address common misconceptions, promote adolescent-parent communication, and leverage trusted influencers such as healthcare providers and teachers to improve HPV vaccine acceptance.

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