Knowledge of Human Papilloma Virus Infections and Vaccination Among Midwives in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Persistent infection accounts for about 70% of all invasive cancers, including cervical, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. Objective This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge of HPV infections and vaccination among midwives at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State. Study Design A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. A convenience sampling technique was used to select 203 midwives from a population of 679. A self-structured and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0, employing descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. Results The findings revealed that midwives had high foundational knowledge of HPV, with 87.7% of respondents correctly identifying sexual intercourse as the primary transmission route and 85.7% acknowledging its link to cervical cancer. However, significant misconceptions about HPV transmission remained evident. Educational qualification significantly influenced midwives’ general knowledge of HPV and their clinical decision-making capabilities, as those with advanced degrees (MMW) consistently demonstrated superior knowledge compared to their diploma-qualified counterparts (RM, RN/M). Awareness of the HPV vaccine’s preventive role was relatively high (69.5%), but misconceptions regarding its coverage and long-term protective efficacy, alongside concerns about vaccine safety and financial constraints, significantly impeded vaccine uptake. Conclusion The study concludes that midwives have a generally high level of knowledge about HPV, but persistent misconceptions about the infection and vaccine remain. Regular training is needed to improve their understanding, increase vaccine uptake, and strengthen preventive healthcare delivery.