INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), despite being preventable through human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. To achieve the World Health Organization’s target of 90% HPV vaccination coverage in girls by age 15, understanding the perspectives of adolescent girls—the primary recipients—is critical. METHODS: A rapid systematic review was conducted in March 2025 using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Global Health, supplemented by targeted hand searches. Eligible studies included qualitative or mixed-methods research reporting adolescent girls’ views on HPV vaccination in SSA. Quality appraisal was performed using the CASP checklist, and findings were synthesized using meta-ethnography. RESULTS: From 748 records, 10 studies from five SSA countries were included. Participants were aged 9–19 years and recruited through schools and communities. Eight themes emerged: knowledge, myths, peer influence, parental influence, cultural and religious beliefs, perceived need, access, and fear of vaccination. Knowledge was central—well-informed girls expressed enthusiasm and empowerment, whereas poor understanding fostered fear or resistance. The most common misconception was that the vaccine causes infertility, typically rooted in community narratives rather than the girls themselves. Parental influence was decisive: Informed parents facilitated uptake, whereas misinformation frequently led to refusal, often cited as the only barrier. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Adolescent girls in SSA generally view HPV vaccination positively when adequately informed. However, parental hesitancy—driven by persistent fertility-related myths—remains the principal barrier. Addressing community misconceptions alongside adolescent education is critical to improving uptake and advancing cervical cancer elimination goals.
Jodie M. Russell (Thu,) studied this question.