Determination of nursing students’ level of knowledge about human papilloma virus

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge of nursing students about the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Material and Methods: This descriptive type of research was conducted with 305 students studying at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing between May 2022 and September 2022. The study data were collected face-to-face by the researchers using a Descriptive Information Form and the HPV Knowledge Scale. In addition to numbers, percentages, means, and standard deviations, independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, simple regression analysis, and Least Significant Difference were used in the analysis of the data. Results: It was determined that the mean score of the HPV Knowledge Scale of the nursing students was 7.99±7.24, and the mean scores of the sub-scales were 5.38±4.79 for the General HPV Knowledge, 0.51±0.95 for the Knowledge of HPV Vaccination Program. It was found that most of the students had knowledge about sexually transmitted disease, but this knowledge was insufficient. Discussion: This study reveals that the knowledge levels of nursing students and other university students about HPV and infectious diseases are insufficient.