Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Towards HPV Vaccination among Albanian Women: An Effort to Improve HPV Vaccine Acceptance

Cervical cancer is among the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. Despite efforts to reduce its incidence, it remains the fifth most frequent cancer among women in Albania. In November 2022, Albania included the quadrivalent HPV vaccine in the National Immunization Program, targeting 13-year-old young women. Therefore, this study aims to assess HPV vaccine awareness among Albanian women and to delineate deficiencies in knowledge, accessibility, and attitudes within populations at higher risk of HPV exposure.

This cross-sectional study, conducted from September to December 2024, surveyed 398 Albanian women using a convenience sampling method. The questionnaire was pilot-tested for clarity and included sections covering socio-demographic information, HPV vaccination practices, and awareness of preventive health measures. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Knowledge about HPV vaccination practices varied significantly by age, education, marital and employment status. Married participants (67.3%), those employed in the healthcare sector (87.5%), and urban residents (68.2%) were significantly more informed about the intended recipients of the HPV vaccine (p = 0.045, p = 0.003, p < 0.001, respectively). Additionally, 46.5% of participants would consider getting vaccinated with age (p = 0.007) and education level (p = 0.002) emerging as significant determinants.

The study demonstrated moderate awareness and vaccine acceptance among Albanian women following the recent introduction of the HPV vaccine. Consistent with global findings, education level was observed to influence attitudes significantly. Future targeted research that overcomes potential limitations, such as online sampling bias, is needed to address vaccine hesitancy and socio-cultural barriers.

The HPV vaccine acceptance rate requires improvement, as more than one-third of participants remain undecided about receiving the vaccine. The study highlights the necessity of targeted educational interventions and comprehensive strategies to enhance HPV vaccine acceptance and coverage. In the Albanian context, achieving the World Health Organization’s goal of 90% immunization among adolescent girls by 2030 may require addressing specific socioeconomic barriers and increasing healthcare providers’ involvement.