Knowledge on the HPV vaccine among university students

Abstract

The objective is to evaluate knowledge on HPV vaccine and its use among university students. This is a cross-sectional study with 301 participants, of which 202 medical students from UERJ and UNIFESO (101 freshmen = M1 and 101 from the 6th year = M2) and 99 UERJ literature students (50 freshmen = L1 and 49 of the last year = L2). Information was obtained by questionnaires. Input and statistical analysis were carried out with the EPI-INFO 3.5.2 Program. Results showed that, among medical students, 21% of M1 and 16% of M2 used the HPV vaccine (p=0.35), mostly adopted by women (M1=29.7% and M2=21.3%) than men (M1=5.4% and M2=7.5%). Similarly, female students showed more interest in using the vaccine (M1=85.1% and M2=80%) than male (M1=56.2% and M2=20.5%). Among literature students, only women received the vaccine (L1=6.5% and L2=22.2%) and no men were vaccinated (p=0.04). More women expressed interest in receiving the vaccine than men (♀ L1=76%, L2=65% and ♂, L1=47%, L2=40%). Comparison among genders regardless of the course showed that the vaccination rate is higher among women (p<0.001), as is the interest in being vaccinated (p=0.004). We concluded that the majority of male university students know less about the HPV vaccine than the female ones, use less and are less interested in being vaccinated, in all the groups interviewed. Vaccination coverage is low among the university population and is higher among medical students.

Students’ HPV vaccination rates are associated with demographics, sexuality, and source of advice but not level of study in medical school

“…Furthermore, among the participants in this study, the vaccination status was not significantly related to the level of medical training, which was similar to the findings of other authors 9 , 22 that a higher level of knowledge did not reflect in higher vaccination rates. On the other hand, Afonso et al .…”

“…This study carried out with undergraduate medical students shows significant differences in the HPV vaccination status according to sex, sexual behavior and source of information about the vaccine. The vaccination rates among female medical students in Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro were comparable, but they were much lower than those found in Glasgow or Rochester 4 , 8 , 9 . One reason for the lower vaccination rate is the recent start (2014) 5 of the national program of immunization against HPV in Brazil, in comparison with the initiation of the UK (2008) 4 or the US (2006) 8 HPV vaccination.…”

“…Additionally, a Brazilian study evaluated the level of knowledge and use of the vaccine among medical (and literature) students. The authors highlighted the low vaccination coverage among the students and sex differences in the vaccination rate, familiarity with, and interest in being vaccinated 9 .…”

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

“…In that manner, we proved that subjects involved in medical studies or those that attended medical high school had the highest knowledge about CC. Other authors also confirmed that medical students are highly educated on this matter [27,28], which is understandable and very commendable, as they represent the leaders of further education of the general public about CC. In accordance with the previous interpretation, the results of another Serbian study showed that both students of a secondary medical school and midwives who had finished at that same school had significantly better knowledge than patients [29].…”

Analysis of Vaccination Against HPV in a Capital in Northeast Brazil

“…Um dos grandes desafios para a saúde pública é informar a população sobre o HPV e desenvolver formas precisas de comunicação através da mídia, igrejas, escolas e organizações não governamentais (MONTEIRO et al, 2018). Ao considerar a prevalência de HPV e sua estreita relação ao câncer de colo do útero e as baixas coberturas vacinais, este estudo é de grande relevância pública, visto que, estabelecer estratégias exige uma análise da cobertura vacinal detalhada.…”