Nationwide Survey of Knowledge and Health Beliefs regarding Human Papillomavirus among HPV-Vaccinated Female Students in Malaysia

Abstract

The National HPV Immunization Programme, which offers free human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to teenaged female students, was launched in Malaysia in 2010. HPV vaccination paired with adequate knowledge about HPV infection provides the best protection against cervical cancer. To identify the level of knowledge and the health beliefs towards HPV and the HPV vaccine among HPV-vaccinated female students in Malaysia. A nationwide cross-sectional survey among 14 years old female students who had received three doses of the HPV vaccine was conducted in 32 randomly selected schools from 13 states and 3 federal territories in Malaysia between February 2013 and April 2013. Among 2482 respondents, knowledge about HPV infection and the HPV vaccine was extremely poor. The mean total knowledge score was only 3.56 (SD ± 1.76), out of a possible score of 10. The majority of respondents were unaware that vaccinating boys with HPV can help protect girls against HPV infection (91.6%), HPV cannot be cured (81.6%) and that HPV is a sexually transmitted infection (70.3%). Most of the respondents had the misconception that only females get HPV (95.1%), and that the HPV vaccine eliminates the need for Pap smear tests (68.3%). Most respondents (91.6%) believed that they would not get an HPV infection. Almost half of the respondents (42.9%) held the misconception that HPV infection could not lead to serious illness. Findings revealed poor knowledge about both HPV and the HPV vaccine, low perceived susceptibility to HPV infection and misinformation about HPV infection among HPV-vaccinated girls. Therefore, it is essential to increase the knowledge and awareness of health risks regarding HPV infection among teenaged girls who have received the HPV vaccine.

Knowledge and Health Beliefs of Nursing Students Toward Human Papilloma Virus and Vaccine Use

“…However, several countries also offer the vaccine to boys to ensure their direct and immediate protection from genital warts and forms of HPV-related cancer that affect both men and women [15]. In addition, the results are consistent with a study in which the majority of respondents were unaware that vaccinating boys with HPV can help protect girls against HPV infection [7].…”

“…Therefore, it is essential to increase the knowledge and awareness of health risks regarding HPV infection among teenage girls who have received the HPV vaccine [7].…”

Awareness, Knowledge and Attitudes of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) among Private University Students- Malaysia Perspective

“…With the urban lifestyle, internet seemed to be their second of source to obtain HPV-related information (16.8%). It appears that socio-demographical backgrounds contrasting previous studies conducted in rural area, as they claimed that internet was one of the least informative sources about HPV and its vaccine (Rashwan et al, 2011;Wong et al, 2016). Hence, a short interactive and informative video can be disseminated to attract more awareness in the urban setting while a school-based visits by the health enforcement could be directed in the rural area.…”

“…Hence, one may voice out a suggestion to the government to subsidise the vaccine price for those who are self-aware yet ineligible individuals. Interestingly, a shift in study population revealed that secondary-school students refused the vaccine due to its delivery profile (intramuscular) which is too painful and inconvenient follow-ups (Wong et al, 2016). Pricing was found to be their least concern as they are the main target of government programme.…”

“…Utilising cross-sectional design, various local studies claimed that university students were found to be the least aware group in comparison to secondary school students and general public. Further questioning revealed that the cost, safety and efficacy of the vaccine hinder vaccination acceptance (Wong and Sam, 2009;Chung et al, 2011;Ng et al, 2014;Jalani et al, 2016;Wong et al, 2016).…”