Sociodemographics, behaviour and knowledge of first South African HPV-vaccine recipients

Sep 21, 2026

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Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) drives cervical cancer risk, yet vaccination requires adequate understanding and uptake. The ImmunoVACCS study (2019–2022) assessed young female first-time HPV-vaccine recipients in two South African provinces, collecting sociodemographic, sexual-practice, and knowledge data via self-administered questionnaires. Among 111 participants, many initiated sexual activity in secondary school and used contraception, but substantial knowledge gaps persisted. Despite awareness of cervical-cancer vaccination, fewer than half understood Pap smears, vaccine protection, or condom use against HPV and cervical cancer, supporting the need for sustained education.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Contribution

Background (HPV vaccines and programme context)

South African Family Practice ISSN: (Online) 2078-6204,(Print) 2078-6190 Page 1 of 6 Origina~~l Research ~~ Sociodemographics, behaviour and knowledge of first South African HPV-vaccine recipients Authors: Robyn A. Adams1 Cathy Visser2 Greta Dreyer2 Leon Snyman2 Frederick H. van der Merwe1 Matthys H. Botha1 Affiliations: 1Department of Obstetricsand Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa 2Department of Obstetricsand Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa Corresponding author: Robyn Adams, [robynadams@sun.ac.za](robynadams@sun.ac.za) Dates: Received: 24 Jan. 2024 Accepted: 08 Mar. 2024 Published: 24 Apr. 2024 How to cite this article: Adams RA, Visser C, Dreyer G, Snyman L, Van der Merwe FH, Botha MH. Sociodemographics, behaviour and knowledge of first South African HPV-vaccine recipients. S Afr Fam Pract. 2024;66(1), a5913. [https://doi](https://doi). org/10.4102/safp.v66i1.5913 Copyright: © 2024. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License. Read online: Scan this QR code with your smart phone or mobile device to read online. Background: Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary cause of cervical cancer and is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Primary prevention strategies target reducing HPV acquisition through vaccination, limiting exposure (e.g. delayed sexual debut, barrier contraception) and health education focusing on sexual behaviour and tobacco use. Methods: The ImmunoVACCS study, conducted from 2019 to 2022 in two provinces in South Africa, examined sociodemographic characteristics, sexual practices, and knowledge of cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine among young female vaccine recipients. It encompassed participants from the previously conducted vaccine implementation trials, VACCS 1 and VACCS 2 (2011–2014) . Recruitment involved telephonic contact with eligible potential participants. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Results: One hundred and eleven participants took part in the current study (median age: 20 years; age range: 16–22 years). Most sexually active participants had their first engagement in secondary school (96.2%), and 77.2% used contraception during their last sexual activity. Knowledge gaps were evident, with only 13.5% recognising cervical cancer’s cervix origin and 3.6% attributing it to a virus. Despite this, 70.3% had heard of a vaccine for cervical cancer. Less than half knew about the importance of regular Pap smears (49.5%), vaccine protection (44.1%) or condom use (20.7%) against HPV and cervical cancer. Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that young women still lack complete information on cervical cancer and its risk factors even after receiving health education linked with vaccination. Contribution: This study underscores the necessity of ongoing education about HPV, its risksand preventive measures among young women to combat cervical cancer. Keywords: human papillomavirus vaccine; cervical cancer; sexual practices; education; cervical cancer prevention. Background Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary cause of cervical cancer and is oneof the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections worldwide.1 The primary prevention of cervical cancer aims to reduce the risk of HPV acquisition. This may include vaccination against HPV, reduction of exposure to HPV (delayed sexual debut or barrier contraception), or health education focused on sexual behaviour and tobacco use.2 At present, there are three prophylactic HPV vaccines registered and commercially available in South Africa: the bivalent vaccine Cervarix® (GlaxoSmithKline), containing virus-like particles (VLPs) for HPV 16 and HPV 18; the quadrivalent vaccine Gardasil® (Merck Inc), conta

FAQs

What does the study examine among first South African HPV-vaccine recipients?

It assesses sociodemographic characteristics, sexual practices, and knowledge related to cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine among young female recipients.

What did the results show about participants’ knowledge?

Knowledge gaps were evident, with low recognition of cervical cancer’s cervix origin and virus attribution, and less than half knowing about Pap smears, vaccine protection, or condom use against HPV and cervical cancer.

Why does the study conclude further education is needed?

Because young women still lacked complete information on cervical cancer and its risk factors even after receiving health education linked with vaccination.

Sep 21, 2026

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