KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFECTION AND VACCINATION AMONG HEALTH SERVICES VOCATIONAL SCHOOL STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23161276Keywords:
HPV, HPV Vaccines, StudentsAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to determine knowledge and awareness levels regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, HPV screening, and HPV vaccination among health services vocational school students and to examine their associations with selected sociodemographic characteristics.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Nazilli Health Services Vocational School, between May and July 2022. A total of 361 students responded to the online survey. Sociodemographic and HPV awareness data were summarized for all respondents, whereas HPV Knowledge Scale (HPV-KS) score-based comparisons were reported for 151 students. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form and the HPV-KS via Google Forms.
Results: Among the 361 respondents, 75.1% were female and the mean age was 20.26±2.78 years. Overall, 41.8% (n=151) reported having heard of HPV, 28.8% (n=104) had heard of HPV testing, and 28.8% (n=104) had heard of the HPV vaccine. In the score-based analysis group (n=151), the mean total HPV-KS score was 13.03±6.91 out of 33. HPV-KS scores did not differ significantly by gender or department and were not significantly correlated with age. Overall group differences were observed for selected subscales according to place of residence, income level, marital status, and parental education.
Conclusion: HPV-related knowledge and awareness were limited in this group of health services vocational school students. Targeted, reliable, and regularly reinforced education on HPV infection, screening, and vaccination may help improve knowledge and awareness among university students.
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