Knowledge and attitude of students studying at health department towards HPV and HPV vaccination

An Examination of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Intentions Related to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Among Undergraduate Students in Saint Lucia

OBJECTIVE

 In the Caribbean, cancer ranks as the second leading cause of mortality. Without interventions, the incidence is predicted to increase by 66% within the next decade, with over 56,000 women being diagnosed with cervical cancer annually and more than 28,000 succumbing to the disease. However, lifesaving prevention and treatment measures are available. This research sought to explore potential differences in knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to receive human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations among male and female undergraduate students at a chosen Community College in St. Lucia.

METHODS

 This investigation utilized a descriptive, quantitative, and cross-sectional approach. Participants (n = 100) were chosen through random sampling and completed 59-item self-administered questionnaires addressing the targeted variables. Multivariable statistical techniques were employed to determine independent predictors of HPV vaccine acceptance among participants.

RESULTS

 Despite recognizing the associated risks, the findings highlighted a substantial deficit in public health promotion efforts. First, although HPV is widespread in St. Lucia and causes cancer in both genders, there is insufficient awareness-raising about HPV. Second, the vaccine is not accessible in St. Lucia. Third, the high expenses associated with the vaccine ($500 US) and HPV test ($275 EC) hinder obtaining them. Finally, HPV vaccine uptake was minimal among participants; only seven out of 100 had been vaccinated and received it in the US. Despite low vaccine uptake, 53% acknowledged the urgent need for vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

 Integrating HPV vaccination within healthcare and HPV awareness initiatives can yield positive outcomes in mitigating cancer's long-term impact on St. Lucia's male and female populations. Educational programs could prove advantageous in enhancing knowledge about HPV and vaccinations.

[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.

An exploration of teacher and school-based nurse perceptions of current HPV education offered to students 15-16 years old in post-primary schools in Northern Ireland, UK

INTRODUCTION

Human papillomavirus virus (HPV) is highest among young adults 15-24 years old. High-risk strains are responsible for the development of cancers including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, oropharyngeal and penile. Despite HPV school-based vaccination programmes in the UK, HPV vaccination uptake rates continue to fluctuate due to misinformation and vaccine hesitancy post COVID-19. The aim of this study is to explore perceptions of post-primary school teachers and nurses regarding the current HPV education provision and the need to provide HPV education to students 15-17 years old when they are most likely to be becoming sexually active.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted using online semi-structured interviews between February-August 2022 with post-primary teachers and nurses in Northern Ireland, UK. Stratified random sampling was used to contact schools to recruit participants. Recruitment continued until data saturation was reached. Braun & Clarke's six-phase framework for reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

Twelve teachers and six nurses participated in the study. Four themes arose based on the analysis including 1) the importance of HPV education 2) self-consent to the HPV vaccine 3) design of the HPV education and 4) delivery of the HPV education. Identified barriers to implementation of HPV education included lack of parental education, religion and the conservative culture of Northern Ireland.

DISCUSSION

Participants perceived HPV education to be poor or non-existent in their schools but placed high importance on this education. They indicated that a non-judgemental health professional would be the ideal person to deliver interactive HPV education as part of a mandated spiral curriculum.

CONCLUSION

HPV education at 15-17 years old provides students with an opportunity to learn about their HPV risk, their HPV vaccination status and an opportunity to self-consent to the HPV vaccine. The Education Authority and Department of Health should support health professionals to deliver consistent robust HPV health information to students of this age.

The intentions of French health university students to recommend and to receive the HPV vaccine are mainly influenced by vaccine knowledge, confidence in vaccines and personal HPV vaccination

INTRODUCTION

Despite documented effectiveness in preventing several cancers, genital warts and safety of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, immunization coverage among French adolescents remains far from the 80 % target. University health students (HS) in France may promote HPV vaccine through a national service (Service Sanitaire des Etudiants en Santé). We aimed to evaluate intentions to recommend the HPV vaccine to friends and relatives, to receive HPV vaccine, and to identify factors associated with these attitudes.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey in five French Universities from October 2019 to February 2020, using a self-administered online questionnaire. We used bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models to identify determinants of behavior around HPV vaccine: (i) individual intention for vaccination, and (ii) vaccine recommendation to friends and relatives.

RESULTS

Among the 732 respondents (180 men, 552 women), 305 (41.7%) reported previous HPV vaccination (54.5 % among women), 504 (68.9%) would recommend the HPV vaccine to friends and relatives, 532 (72.7%) respondents would be vaccinated today if it was recommended for them. Intentions to recommend or to receive the HPV vaccine were less frequent in nursing students compared to medical and pharmacy students. After adjustment for demographical factors, HPV vaccine knowledge was associated with intention [aOR 1.30 (95%-confidence interval, 1.15-1.47)] and recommendation [1.26 (1.10-1.45)], respectively. Additionally, adjusting for knowledge about HPV infections, and confidence in vaccines in general was associated with vaccine intention [1.55, (1.30-1.84)] and recommendation [1.52 (1.24-1.86)]. HPV-vaccinated HS were more prone to recommend the HPV vaccine to friends and relatives [10.9 (6.6-17.9)].

CONCLUSION

A majority of HS would accept and/or recommend HPV vaccines. HS with greater knowledge about the HPV vaccine were more prone to recommend it. Strengthening knowledge about HPV and its vaccination is probably necessary before their Involvement in a HPV immunization program.

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.