[The STIKO now recommends the HPV vaccination for boys too]

[Knowledge about human papillomaviruses among students in Germany-a cross-sectional study with a need for action]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common viruses transmitted through intimate contact, causing many benign and malignant diseases. Vaccination protects against these diseases. Despite the HPV vaccination being recommended by the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO), knowledge and vaccination rates in Germany are very low. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the HPV knowledge among German students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 06/2019 and 01/2024, a nationwide online survey on HPV knowledge among students in Germany was distributed via the respective student councils. The survey included two aspects: 1) basic characteristics of the participants and 2) knowledge questions about HPV (e.g., transmission routes, effectiveness, and side effects of vaccination, knowledge about the HPV subtypes). Data collection was anonymous.

RESULTS

A total of 459 students took part in the study. Of these, 335 (72.98%) were female, 122 (26.57%) were male, and 2 (0.45%) did not specify their gender. The average age of the students was 24.02 years, and most of the participants were in their 6th (23.31%/107) semester. In all, 75.82% (348) of the participants were medical students followed by law students with 19.61% (90) participants. The most represented study location was Aachen, with 270 (58.82%) participants. Only about half (48.80%/223) of the students knew that approximately 8000 new cancer cases in Germany are HPV-associated annually. Regarding the HPV vaccination, more than a third (35.82%/163) of participants did not know that it also protects against genital warts, while 21.93% (100) did not know that boys can also benefit from the HPV vaccination and that it does not only improve HPV protection of girls against cervical cancer.

CONCLUSION

Despite several years of HPV vaccination recommendation by the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO), knowledge about HPV among college students still remains very low. Further prevention and educational efforts are needed to address HPV knowledge gaps, with the additional goal of improving HPV vaccination rates.

Enhancing Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Rates through Better Knowledge? Insights from a Survey among German Medical Students

INTRODUCTION

Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) significantly reduces the risk for malignant diseases like cervix, anal, or penile cancer. However, although vaccination rates are rising, they are still too low mirroring a lack of disease awareness in the community. This study aims to evaluate knowledge about HPV vaccination as well as the vaccination rate among German medical students.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Medical students were surveyed during a German medical students' sports event. The self-designed survey on HPV vaccination consisted of 24 items. The data collection was anonymous.

RESULTS

Among 974 participating medical students 64.9% (632) were women, 335 (34.4%) were male and 7 (0.7%) were nonbinary. Mean age was 23.1 ± 2.7 (± standard deviation; range 18-35) years. Respondents had studied mean 6.6 ± 3.3 (1-16) semesters and 39.4% (383) had completed medical education in urology. 613 (64%) respondents reported that HPV had been discussed during their studies. 7.6% (74) had never heard of HPV. In a multivariate model female gender, the knowledge about HPV, and having worked on the topic were significantly associated with being HPV-vaccinated. Older students were vaccinated less likely.

CONCLUSIONS

Better knowledge and having worked on the topic of HPV were associated with a higher vaccination rate. However, even in this highly selected group the knowledge about HPV vaccination was low. Consequently, more information and awareness campaigns on HPV vaccination are needed in Germany to increase vaccination rates.

[The urologist as a vaccinator]

Impfmedizin zählt zu den effektivsten Waffen der Menschheit im Kampf gegen unterschiedliche Infektionskrankheiten. Ärzte aller Fachrichtungen sollten deshalb nicht nur regelmäßig Kenntnis von Impfungen erlangen, sondern diese auch aktiv in ihrer täglichen Arbeit anbieten. Urologen können gleich mit diversen Impfangeboten dazu beitragen, die Gesundheit ihrer Patienten zukünftig besser zu schützen. Neben HPV-Impfung (humane Papillomaviren) von Kindern und Jugendlichen soll gerade auch an Patienten über 60 Jahren in diesem Beitrag gezeigt werden, wie Urologen als Impfärzte ihrer Verantwortung zur Umsetzung der staatlichen Impfempfehlungen nachkommen können. Unter anderem können HPV-Impfungen bewirken, eine evolutionäre Erblast der Menschheit endlich zu tilgen. Spezielle Altersimpfungen ab 60 Jahren sollen neben Standardimpfungen gegen Tetanus, Diphtherie und Pertussis insbesondere auch vor Pneumokokken, Influenza und Herpes zoster schützen. Und eines Tages werden Urologen möglicherweise Patienten auch vor COVID-19 („coronavirus disease 2019“) bewahren, die Krankheit, die Impfungen aktuell wieder ins globale Bewusstsein rückte.

[Improvement of vaccination activities in urology]

Effective vaccines against various urologically important diseases have been established for a long time, nevertheless, vaccination activities are generally underperformed in urology. Consistently low vaccination rates, e.g. for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines and a widespread vaccination hesitancy characterize the situation especially in men. This article highlights the importance of various aspects of vaccinations in urology and focuses on the improvement of consultation techniques for vaccinations to increase the vaccination rate and acceptance in the future.