Surveillance of Human Papilloma Virus Infection and Cervical Cancer in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Preliminary Data

Aim: To access the level of awareness of cervical cancer screening tools and preventive measures amongst students of a tertiary institution. Methodology: This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. Pre-tested self-administered Questionnaires were distributed to students who were above the age of 18 years in the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, to obtain information on their socio-demographics and awareness of cervical cancer, its prevention, risk factors and association with Human Papilloma Virus infection. Information acquired from the questionnaires were presented using descriptive statistics. Chi-Square analysis was used to compare differences between knowledge and practice among the respondents. P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. All tests were carried out with the Epi Info v7 software. Results: A total of 227 students were interviewed.82.8% were female and 22.9% indicated being sexually active. About two-thirds of respondents had some knowledge (heard) of cervical cancer and Pap smear, majority of whom indicated they did so from health care personnel followed closely by the media houses and social media. Only 12.1% were aware of sexual intercourse as a risk factor for Human Papilloma virus infection and about one-fifth knew the currently recommended age for vaccination against the virus. Conclusion: The degree of awareness of cervical cancer in a key population such as the undergraduates sampled in this study is unacceptably low. Increased efforts must therefore be put into public enlightenment as primary prevention of cervical cancer Aim: To access the level of awareness of cervical cancer screening tools and preventive measures amongst students of a tertiary institution. Methodology: This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. Pre-tested self-administered Questionnaires were distributed to students who were above the age of 18 years in the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, to obtain information on their socio-demographics and awareness of cervical cancer, its prevention, risk factors and association with Human Papilloma Virus infection. Information acquired from the questionnaires were presented using descriptive statistics. Chi-Square analysis was used to compare differences between knowledge and practice among the respondents. P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. All tests were carried out with the Epi Info v7 software. Results: A total of 227 students were interviewed.82.8% were female and 22.9% indicated being sexually active. About two-thirds of respondents had some knowledge (heard) of cervical cancer and Pap smear, majority of whom indicated they did so from health care personnel followed closely by the media houses and social media. Only 12.1% were aware of sexual intercourse as a risk factor for Human Papilloma virus infection and about one-fifth knew the currently recommended age for vaccination against the virus. Conclusion: The degree of awareness of cervical cancer in a key population such as the undergraduates sampled in this study is unacceptably low. Increased efforts must therefore be put into public enlightenment as primary prevention of cervical cancer

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Knowledge attitude and practice towards human papilloma virus vaccination among medical and paramedical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital in south Karnataka, India

International Journal of Advances in Medicine ◽

10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20192257 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 881

Author(s):

Shruthi B. ◽

Srikanth Goud Mallam ◽

Manojkumar B. K. ◽

Dhanalakshmi T. A.

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Medical Students ◽

Nursing Students ◽

Virus Infection ◽

Human Papilloma Virus ◽

Human Papilloma Virus Infection ◽

Pharmacy Students ◽

Papilloma Virus ◽

Virus Vaccination ◽

Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination

Background: Human papilloma virus infection is responsible for 75-80% of the cervical cancers worldwide. Human papilloma virus infection is a preventable disease, but precaution depends on the cognitive aspects of young women. Authors conducted a study to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding human papilloma virus vaccination and to determine acceptance rate of human papilloma virus vaccination among medical and paramedical students.Methods: Human papilloma virus infection is responsible for 75-80% of the cervical cancers worldwide. Human papilloma virus infection is a preventable disease, but precaution depends on the cognitive aspects of young women. Authors conducted a study to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding human papilloma virus vaccination and to determine acceptance rate of human papilloma virus vaccination among medical and paramedical students.Results: Out of 322 students, 114 medicals (35.4%), 106 pharmacy (32.9%) and 102 nursing students (31.7%) were included in this study. Ninety-one (79.8%) medical students, 64 (60.37%) pharmacy students, 43 (42.1%) nursing students were aware that human papilloma virus can cause cervical cancer. Seventy-three (64.03%) medical students, 64(60.37%) pharmacy students, 40(40.1%) nursing students were aware that there is vaccination for human papilloma virus infection, and it can prevent cervical cancer. Most of the students,78(68.4%) medical students, 57 (53.77%) pharmacy students and 46(45.09%) nursing students believe that more awareness required regarding risk factors of human papilloma virus infection and prevention of cervical cancer. Furthermore, around 66 (57.89%) medical students, 44 (41.05%) pharmacy students, 37(36.27%) nursing students were willing to accept the vaccine for themselves.Conclusions: Majority of the students are lacking knowledge regarding HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention with least knowledge among paramedical students. More awareness programmes are required to increase the awareness and acceptability of HPV vaccination.

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