Evaluation of IgG Antibody Response to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among Urban and Rural Populations in Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Onu, E. N.
*
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Obaji, E. A.
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Orji, C.E.
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Ologwu, R.O.
Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Nwifuru, F.O
Ebonyi State Government, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is still one of the most widespread sexually transmitted diseases as well as a major cause of cervical cancer in the world. Immunization, especially the production of IgG antibodies is an essential pointer of protection that has been induced by the vaccine. The research study measured and compared the levels of IgG antibody and the immune index after the HPV vaccination among the urban and rural communities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Methods: This article was a comparative cross-sectional study designed to measure the IgG immune response of HPV-vaccinated people in Ezza North and Abakaliki LGAs. There were 278 participants who received the vaccination who had been recruited; 139 in Abakaliki (urban) and 139 in Ezza North (rural). Multi-stage sampling was used, where the selection of wards in each LGA was done randomly. Serum IgG antibody levels against HPV were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.
Results: The findings showed that the mean levels of IgG were significantly higher in Abakaliki (ABS 0.598 ± 0.340; INDEX 3.62 ± 2.08) than in Ezza North (ABS 0.072 ± 0.096; INDEX 0.43 ± 0.58). together to the response of antibodies (t = 17.53, p < 0.00001). The percentage of vaccination and IgG positivity was larger in Abakaliki (86.3%) compared to Ezza North (69.1%). The logistic regression analysis revealed that the participants in urban areas were two and a half times more likely to develop a positive IgG response in comparison to the participants in the rural area (p<0.05) is statistically significant.
Conclusion: The results indicate that there is a strong urban-rural gap in immunity developed following HPV vaccination, and that vaccine manipulation, access to healthcare, and socio-environmental conditions affect the immune measures. Strengthening cold-chain infrastructure, enhancing outreach vaccination in rural areas, and increasing awareness of the population to have equal vaccine efficacy, which can play a role in the reduction of HPV-related diseases in Nigeria.
Keywords: Human papillomavirus, IgG antibody, vaccine efficacy, urban–rural disparity, Ebonyi State