owledge and Baseline Awareness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) as a Potential Factor in Cervical Cancer among Female Adolescents in Secondary Schools in Oyo

Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in Nigeria. Despite the integration of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into the national immunization schedule to target female adolescents, vaccine hesitancy driven by poor baseline knowledge and suboptimal awareness presents a significant bottleneck to eradication efforts. This cross-sectional school-based study was carried out to assess the baseline awareness and health attitudes regarding HPV among 245 female secondary school adolescents in Oyo State. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, baseline study, and awareness of the link between HPV and cervical cancer were collected using validated, self-administered structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The mean age of the participants fell predominantly within the 15–17 years range (62.8%, n=155), and participants were primarily Yoruba (87.4%, n=216). Basic awareness of HPV was low: only 43.3% (n=107) had never heard of the virus, and 56.7% (n=140) had no prior exposure. The internet and social media were the leading information channels (26.7%, n=66), outperforming healthcare workers (17.0%, n=42). Strikingly, 68.0% (n=168) were completely unaware of HPV symptoms, and 58.7% (n=145) confessed total ignorance regarding specific clinical manifestations. Furthermore, while 44.9% (n=111) recognized that HPV causes cervical cancer, only 34.8% (n=84) understood that preventing HPV infection directly reduces cervical cancer risks. Female adolescents in Oyo present deficient public health knowledge and low awareness regarding HPV and its oncogenic links to cervical cancer. Digital landscapes offer the most viable window for intervention.