scholarly journals Knowledge, Awareness and Attitude of Medical Students Regarding HPV Infection and HPV Vaccination

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46
Author(s):  
Aparna Narayana Gollu ◽  
Chaitali Ashutosh Gore

Background: Cervical cancer is the second commonest cancer among women in India and accounts for 6-29% of cancers among women in India. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a causative agent of the disease. Recent advances in technology have led to introduction of vaccine to prevent HPV infection. The current study aims to assess the awareness among medical students about HPV infection as a causative factor for cervical cancer and their knowledge about HPV vaccination. Assessing the knowledge of vaccination among medical students helps us to understand the level of awareness regarding the same among future doctors.Methods: A questionnaire based study was done on 150 MBBS students from 2nd and 3rd year of Vydehi Medical College, Bangalore,Karnataka, India. Questionnaire consisted of 16 questions of multiple choice type and results were analysed using percentages and chi square test. P value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Knowledge regarding HPV as a causative agent for cervical cancer was found in 67 (95.7%) of male students and 79 (98.8%) of female students with no statistically significant difference. Awareness about availability of HPV vaccine was seen in 66 (82.5%) females as compared to 50 (71.4%) males with a p value of 0.078, which was not statistically significant. Complete vaccination status was seen in 3 (4.3%) male students and 11 (13.8%) female students with a p value of 0.041 and this association was statistically significant. 1 (1.42%) male student and 1 (1.25%) female student received incomplete vaccination. 25 (35.7%) males and 74 (92.5%) females were willing to get vaccinated with HPV vaccine with p value 0.000, and the association was statistically significant. Conclusion: There was good knowledge among medical students regarding cervical cancer and its prevention. But knowledge regarding HPV vaccine was poor among both males and females. Willingness to get vaccinated in male students was very less compared to female students.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joao Wilson Rocha ◽  
Ana Morais Vasconcelos ◽  
Honolfo Elves Simões ◽  
Elizandra Soqui ◽  
Nilton Helibrando Rosa

Abstract Cervical cancer is the first most common cancer among women in Angola and accounts for 37.6% of cancers among women in Angola. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a causative agent of the disease. Recent advances in technology have led to the introduction of vaccines to prevent HPV infection. This study aims to assess the awareness of university students about HPV infection as a causal factor for cervical cancer and their knowledge about HPV vaccination. Assessing knowledge about vaccination among university students helps us to understand the level of awareness about it. Methods:A questionnaire-based study was carried out on 106 university students, from May 10th to July 26th, 2021. The questionnaire consisted of 10 multiple-choice questions and the results were analyzed using percentages. Results:Knowledge about HPV as a causative agent of cervical cancer was found in 84.2% of students.Awareness of the availability of the HPV vaccine was observed in 55.3%. Complete vaccination status was verified in 0% male students and 13% female students. No male students and 13 female students received incomplete vaccination. 33 men and 73 women were willing to be vaccinated with the HPV vaccine. Conclusion:The present study concludes that there is not a good knowledge of university students about cervical cancer and its prevention. There is also little knowledge about the HPV vaccine, meaning the availability of the vaccine, the right age group for vaccination and the recommended vaccination for men need to be improved. Vaccination status is poor among men and women because it is not on the national vaccination calendar. The desire to get vaccinated in male students was lower compared to female students. Thus, there seems to be a need to motivate male students for vaccination. Therefore, more awareness should be created about the HPV vaccine among students. The government through the Ministry of Health must incorporate the HPV vaccine in the vaccination calendar.


Author(s):  
Radhika M. ◽  
Sadiqunissa Sadiqunissa ◽  
Mehfooza Ahmed

Background: Cervical cancer is the most common malignancy amongst women in India. Identification and prevention of the pre-cancerous lesions helps to reduce the incidence of Carcinoma of cervix. The main aim of the study is to know the awareness and knowledge of HPV vaccine in prevention of cervical cancer among medical students.Methods: The study included 97 medical students (final year) studying in Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore. It is a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study.Results: The results of awareness and knowledge about the HPV vaccine are interpreted in percentage. In this study, 76% of study subjects were aware that cancer cervix is preventable, 80% of the study subjects were aware about the association between the causation of cancer cervix by HPV. Majority of the study subjects about 72% ware about the vaccines for HPV but, awareness about the cost and efficacy of the vaccine was low only about 30% and 10% respectively. However, importantly students had a positive attitude to educate people regarding HPV vaccination and also to clear myths and misconceptions.Conclusions: Medical students should be educated regarding HPV infection, risk factors for causation of cervical cancer, screening methods which are available, HPV vaccines available in India and also about the efficacy and to motivate the society to have a positive attitude towards HPV vaccination by clearing the misconceptions regarding its information.


Author(s):  
Mudassir Khan ◽  

Context: Approximately 60,000 women in India die annually from cervical cancer. India also has high rates of head and neck cancers (HNCs), with most patients presenting with advanced disease. Uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which can prevent both cervical cancer and HNCs, is low in India. Methods and Material: Study setting was Government Medical College, Mysore and it was a Cross-sectional study. Between January to March 2018, a web-based self-administered questionnaire was completed by 498 medical students in Mysore, India. Descriptive statistics were conducted using SPSS. Result: Only 8% of female students and no male students were vaccinated against HPV, and most did not feel susceptible to HPV. Male students were more likely than female students to believe that HPV vaccination can encourage youth to become sexually active (35% vs. 15%; p<0.001). Furthermore, knowledge regarding HPV vaccination for preventing HNCs was no higher among 4th versus 1st year medical students. Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs favourable toward HPV vaccination improved with years of study. Conclusion: Medical education that discusses the full range of uses of HPV vaccination for cancer prevention and improves comfort with topics related to adolescent sexuality may increase future provider recommendations.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11611
Author(s):  
Mervat M. Alsous ◽  
Ahlam Ali ◽  
Sayer Al-Azzam ◽  
Reema Karasneh ◽  
Haneen Amawi

Objectives To assess the knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV infection and the awareness towards and perceived barriers of HPV vaccination amid medical students in Jordan. Methods The present study is a cross-sectional survey that was conducted for a period of three months in the College of Medicine at six different universities in Jordan. Third-year to sixth-year students from these medical colleges in Jordan were invited to participate in the study. Results There were 504 students that took part in the study with 42.3% being males and 57.7% females. The mean knowledge score of students in our survey was 21.4 ± 4.4 out of 34, which was categorized as a moderate level of knowledge regarding cervical cancer and HPV. Only 40.5% knew about the availability of the HPV vaccine in Jordan, and 65.9% accepted the idea that it is necessary to introduce the HPV vaccine for school girls in Jordan. Conclusions This study highlights that there is inadequate knowledge about cervical cancer and its screening among medical students in Jordan. Despite the limited awareness about the HPV vaccine among the study’s participants, there is a favorable opinion towards the introduction of the vaccine for school girls in Jordan. The data provide a benchmark on the level of knowledge about cervical cancer and awareness about HPV, which can be used to formulate an effective awareness program.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 776
Author(s):  
Tomasz Milecki ◽  
Maciej Michalak ◽  
Jakub Milecki ◽  
Michał Michalak ◽  
Radosław Kadziszewski ◽  
...  

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with six types of cancer in men and women. A vaccine against HPV, preferably administered before initial sexual intercourse, has been proven to be highly effective in preventing these cancers. An effective healthcare provider recommendation has significant influence on HPV vaccine uptake; therefore, it is critical that medical students receive comprehensive training in this area. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of medical students regarding Human Papillomavirus’s (HPV) ways of transmission, risk of cancer development, and vaccination against HPV. This study also investigated factors among medical students that would affect their intention to recommend HPV vaccination to others. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 1061 (678 women and 383 men) medical students who filled in our questionnaire. The medical students were divided into two subgroups: (1) pre-clinical medical students (MS pre-clinical; first-to third-year students; n = 683) and (2) clinical medical students (MS clinical; fourth-to six-year students; n = 378). Results: A total259 (24.41%) of the 1061 medical students were vaccinated against HPV. We found a significant improvement in the general level of knowledge in the later years of education (4–6) compared to the early years of education (1–3). However, it was demonstrated that, despite medical education advancements, there are still significant gaps of knowledge about the relationship between HPV infection and cancers other than cervical cancer, as well as in relation to the routes by which HPV is transmitted. Medical students’ intentions to recommend HPV vaccine to others were related to their own HPV-related knowledge and their own vaccination status. Conclusion: Medical students have gaps of knowledge regarding particular issues and aspects of HPV. It is necessary to further educate medical students in the field of prevention and in the treatment of lesions caused by HPV infection. Medical students’ intention to recommend the HPV vaccine can be improved by including them and members of their families in the HPV vaccination program.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 714-722
Author(s):  
Sajeda Khatun ◽  
Ashees Kumar Saha ◽  
Irtiza Ahmed Chowdhury ◽  
Arifa Sultana ◽  
Mst Wazeda Begum ◽  
...  

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the causes of cervical cancer which is preventable. The study was a cross-sectional study with the objective was to determine the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage among working women. A total 236 educated working women were selected purposively from different working places in Dhaka city. A pretested semi- structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The knowledge was assessed by using modified Blooms cut off points which was developed with cervical cancer and vaccine knowledge related questions. The study result revealed that among 236 working women 71.2% knew about the risk factor of cervical cancer. It was found that 92.8% knew about the way of prevention of cervical cancer respectively. The overall knowledge on cervical cancer and vaccine was found to be having good knowledge 21.2%, satisfactory knowledge 41.9% and poor knowledge 36.9%. Out of the total working women only 5.1% had HPV vaccination coverage. Reason behind non vaccinations, 50% mentioned had no knowledge about vaccine, 35.3% mentioned can’t decide and 8.9% mentioned high cost of vaccine. Significant association has been observed in between vaccination coverage with over all knowledge of cervical cancer (p value .04). It may be concluded that HPV vaccination coverage is very low which needs awareness program on this issues through mass media, educational session, counseling and so on to reduce human papillomavirus associated cancers as well as economic burden. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2020, 6(4): 714-722


Author(s):  
Niveditha Das E. ◽  
Paul T. Francis

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in developing countries including India. Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection of the cervix is the most common risk factor for cervical cancer. HPV infection is widespread and occurs soon after becoming sexually active. Lack of hygiene and multiple sexual partners increases the risk of chronic HPV infection. HPV vaccine offers protection against cervical cancer. However the knowledge about HPV and vaccine is very limited among the general public. Knowledge among doctors is essential to provide timely advice to the target population.  This study aims to measure the awareness among female medical students in a medical college in Kerala.Methods: 1st to 4th year female medical students of Amrita School of Medicine were administered an anonymous, validated self-administered pretested questionnaire. Only students who had volunteered and given consent were included in the study. 165 students participated in the study.Results: The overall knowledge about cervical cancer its causation and prevention was good only in about 40%. However 83% had a positive attitude towards HPV vaccine and were willing to take the vaccine.  Only 6% had been vaccinated against HPV.Conclusions: There is a need to emphasize the aetiology and preventive measures of cervical cancer in the curriculum of MBBS students. In-depth knowledge among future doctors is essential for dissemination of knowledge to general public and timely preventive intervention.


Author(s):  
Suchith Hoblidar ◽  
Suma S. Moni ◽  
Rathnamala M. Desai ◽  
Asha Neravi

Background: Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death in india. it is also one of the few malignancies where an infectious etiological agent human papilloma virus (HPV) has been identified. With the advent of HPV vaccination, it is possible to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with carcinoma cervix. But biggest hurdle to achieve this is the lack of awareness about the availability and use of HPV vaccine. This study was conducted to know knowledge and awareness of HPV infection and vaccination among medical and paramedical students. We also evaluated the acceptability and coverage of HPV vaccine among these students.Methods: This study was conducted among a total of 520 female students of the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University with the help of a questionnaire. The study group included 207 MBBS students, 167 BDS students, 89 nursing students and 57 physiotherapy students.Results: Most of the students were in 18-20 years’ age group. Nearly 40.57% of the students knew that HPV is sexually transmitted and 29.80% were aware that this infection can be prevented. Availability of HPV vaccine was known to 75% of the students and the main source of their information was through their college teachings. Nearly 43.75% of the students knew HPV vaccine protects against cervical cancer and 26.73% of the students were vaccinated. Overall knowledge and awareness were better among medical students.Conclusions: A lot of work needs to be done so as to make the target population accept HPV vaccine. There is a great difference between awareness of availability of the vaccine and its use. This emphasizes the need for health care professionals to take special interest in promoting this vaccine in the general population.


Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruanne V. Barnabas ◽  
Elizabeth R. Brown ◽  
Maricianah Onono ◽  
Elizabeth A. Bukusi ◽  
Betty Njoroge ◽  
...  

Abstract Background HPV infection is the primary cause of cervical cancer, a leading cause of cancer among women in Kenya and many sub-Saharan African countries. High coverage of HPV vaccination is a World Health Organization priority to eliminate cervical cancer globally, but vaccine supply and logistics limit widespread implementation of the current two or three dose HPV vaccine schedule. Methods We are conducting an individual randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether a single dose of the bivalent (HPV 16/18) or nonavalent (HPV 16/18/31/33/45/52/58/6/11) HPV vaccine prevents persistent HPV infection, a surrogate marker for precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. The primary objective is to compare the efficacy of immediate, single-dose bivalent or nonavalent vaccination with delayed HPV vaccination. Kenyan women age 15–20 years old are randomized to immediate bivalent HPV and delayed meningococcal vaccine (group 1), immediate nonavalent HPV vaccine and delayed meningococcal vaccine (group 2), or immediate meningococcal vaccine and delayed HPV vaccine (group 3) with 36 months of follow-up. The primary outcome is persistent vaccine-type HPV infection by month 18 and by month 36 for the final durability outcome. The secondary objectives include to (1) evaluate non-inferiority of antibody titers among girls and adolescents (age 9 to 14 years) from another Tanzanian study, the DoRIS Study (NCT02834637), compared to KEN SHE Study participants; (2) assess the memory B cell immune response at months 36 and 37; and (3) estimate cost-effectiveness using the trial results and health economic models. Discussion This study will evaluate single-dose HPV vaccine efficacy in Africa and has the potential to guide public health policy and increase HPV vaccine coverage. The secondary aims will assess generalizability of the trial results by evaluating immunobridging from younger ages, durability of the immune response, and the long-term health benefits and cost of single-dose HPV vaccine delivery. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03675256. Registered on September 18, 2018


2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Moraros ◽  
Yelena Bird ◽  
David D. Barney ◽  
Sasha C. King ◽  
Matthew Banegas ◽  
...  

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STI) in the world and it is associated with cervical cancer. The development of a prophylactic HPV vaccine has proven effective in clinical trials and it is now available to the public. The HPV vaccine represents a viable prevention strategy against cervical cancer. However, parental preferences, perceptions, and willingness to use the HPV vaccine are crucial, and if not assessed accurately, may threaten the successful implementation of a broad HPV vaccination program. This pilot study explored the views of 60 adult, Mexican women, all of who were mothers of female children between the ages of ten to 14 years old on the following four areas of interest: HPV knowledge; HPV vaccine knowledge and attitudes; barriers to HPV vaccine use; and potential uses and side effects of the HPV vaccine. Only 7% of respondents knew that HPV was a virus or STI. Eighty-six percent had not heard of the HPV vaccine, but 62% felt that the HPV vaccine would prevent HPV infection. However, 38% said the church would not approve of the HPV vaccine use for 10-14-year-old girls. Twenty-seven percent thought that promiscuous behavior would increase following HPV vaccination. Overall, respondents had very little knowledge of the HPV vaccine, were willing to be vaccinated themselves (83%), but were lesser willing to vaccinate their daughters (63%). Ultimately, understanding the beliefs about and identifying the barriers of HPV vaccine use will influence the effectiveness of the vaccine and its potential impact in reducing cervical cancer incidence rates worldwide.


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