Effect of an educational intervention on knowledge of human papillomavirus infection among university students in Turkey: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge level of university students outside the health field on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and evaluate the efficacy of educational interventions provided on HPV infection. Method and Material: This was a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design. This study was conducted on undergraduate students outside the health field at a public university in Izmir. HPV education was provided to the students in classes with a PowerPoint presentation, and the “Fall in Love, Not in HPV” brochure was distributed. Results: Of 873 students participating in the pretest, 48.7% and 42.5% heard of HPV infection and vaccine, respectively. While the response rates of the students participating in the pretest of the 16-question HPV knowledge survey ranged from 13.9% to 58.8%, a significant (51.4%–91.6%) increase was observed in the percentage of answers to the posttest HPV questions after the educational intervention (p < 0.001). The total HPV knowledge score was 5.17±4.33in the pre-test, and the post-test was 13.37±2.66 (p<0.001). The biggest barriers to those who did not want to be vaccinated were the cost of the vaccine and the lack of information about HPV infection. Conclusion: The educational intervention has greatly increased the knowledge of HPV infection among university students. Continuing education programs are needed to bridge the knowledge gap on HPV infection and HPV-related diseases among young adults.