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Knowledge about Cervical Cancer and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV Vaccine among Female Students from Serbia.

ABSTRACT: Background and objectives: Persistent infection with carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The study explored students' knowledge about cervical cancer and awareness of human papillomavirus and the HPV vaccine. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was carried out among 1616 first-year female college students at the University of Niš. It examined socio-demographic characteristics, measured the score of knowledge about cervical cancer, assessed awareness regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine and inquired about the source of information about cervical cancer and HPV. Results: The average cervical cancer knowledge score was 16.35 ± 7.92 (min 0, max 30), with medical professional education, parents' education level, place of residence and relationship status having significant effects on the score. The awareness about HPV and the HPV vaccine was low, with only 14.2% of students having heard about both HPV and its vaccine. The most commonly reported sources of information were the media, while the most competent one was organized health education. Conclusions: Health promotion campaigns and educational programs are necessary in order to reduce cervical cancer burden and should be directed particularly towards those who have demonstrated low cervical cancer knowledge and low awareness regarding HPV and its vaccine.

SUBMITTER: Rancic NK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7466248 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Knowledge about Cervical Cancer and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV Vaccine among Female Students from Serbia.

Rančić Nataša K NK Golubović Milan B MB Ilić Mirko V MV Ignjatović Aleksanda S AS Živadinović Radomir M RM Đenić Saša N SN Momčilović Stefan D SD Kocić Biljana N BN Milošević Zoran G ZG Otašević Suzana A SA

Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) 20200813 8

<i>Background and objectives</i>: Persistent infection with carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The study explored students' knowledge about cervical cancer and awareness of human papillomavirus and the HPV vaccine. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: A questionnaire-based survey was carried out among 1616 first-year female college students at the University of Niš. It examined socio-demographic characteristics, measured the score of knowledge about cervica ...[more]

PMID: 32823648

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Project description:BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that causes cancers of the cervix, anus, vagina, penis, and oropharynx. HPV vaccination prevents HPV types that commonly cause these cancers. HPV vaccines have been approved in Thailand since 2007. However, the vaccination rate remains low, particularly in young people.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the information level regarding HPV infection and vaccination in the younger Thai population, the self-reported vaccination rate, the vaccine intention, and factors affecting the intention.MethodsThis cross-sectional study enrolled a total of 521 undergraduate students (77% female). We used a 34 items self-administered questionnaire (18 questions assessing knowledge level).ResultsThe mean score of knowledge was 7.53 ± 4.95 (total score 18), indicating a low-to-moderate level of knowledge. Female gender and health-related majors were significant factors associated with greater knowledge. The self-reported vaccination rate was 1.9% among only female participants. Only 30.3% of the unvaccinated subjects had the intention to receive the vaccine. The factors affecting vaccine intention were female gender and having knowledge score ≥7. The barriers to HPV vaccination were cost (52.2%), and the perception of no need due to low-risk behavior (45.1%).ConclusionEducation programs on HPV infection and vaccination should be included in the curriculum earlier, if possible, since primary school because the vaccine works best before the onset of sexual activity. In university students, the education programs may encourage the sexually inexperienced students to receive the vaccines, as they are still the ideal group for catch-up vaccination. Moreover, parental education is essential, as national vaccination programs usually target younger people. Knowledge sharing by educated people and organizations could enhance the information level in the communities. Consequently, people become aware of primary prevention by vaccination, which may lead to an increase in vaccination rates and eventually decrease HPV-related cancers.

Dataset Information

Knowledge about Cervical Cancer and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV Vaccine among Female Students from Serbia.

Publications

Knowledge about Cervical Cancer and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV Vaccine among Female Students from Serbia.

Similar Datasets

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