Motlatsi, Mokete2025-10-082024Motlatsi, Mokete. (2024). Acceptability of HPV vaccine among adolescent girls and young women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic review [Master`s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WIReDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/46863https://hdl.handle.net/10539/46863A research report submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science in Field Epidemiology, in the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection and a precursor of cervical cancer in women. It is a significant public health concern globally, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where cervical cancer incidence rates are among the highest in the world. HPV vaccination has emerged as a key preventive strategy to reduce the burden of HPV-related diseases, including cervical cancer. Therefore, understanding the acceptability of the HPV vaccine among adolescent girls and young women in Sub-Saharan Africa is crucial for a successful vaccination program. Aim: The aim of this review was to synthesise existing qualitative research on factors associated with HPV vaccine acceptability among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) to highlight programmatic gaps for successful scale-up and penetration of the vaccine in sub- Saharan Africa. Methods: The review was conducted in line with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for qualitative reviews and meta-aggregation. The key search terms used the operator “or” to combine the synonyms and the operator “and” to filter the results which contained the desired terms. The keywords used were HPV vaccine, acceptability, adolescent girls, young women, Sub-Saharan Africa. The databases searched included EBSCO-host, ProQuest, and MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Results: There were 19 findings derived from the included studies which were further analysed through meta-aggregation from four SSA countries. Data collection was mainly through focus group discussion of AGYW. Aggregated quotes were narrated through a synthesis of findings which identified a range of motivators, deterrents and agency problem influencing vaccine acceptability. Motivators included knowledge, awareness, and peer influence, while deterrents included safety concerns and agency problem included autonomy to decision making among adolescents and female caregivers. Conclusion: There is a complex interplay of factors influencing HPV vaccine acceptance, which underscores the importance of targeted interventions to address misconceptions, improve access to vaccination services, and promote informed consent on HPV vaccination among adolescent girls and young women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Further research is needed to explore the effectiveness of interventions aimed at increasing HPV vaccine acceptability and coverage in Sub-Saharan Africa.en© 2024 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.UCTDYoung girls and womenHPV Vaccine acceptanceSub-Saharan AfricaDissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgSDG-3: Good health and well-being