Knowledge and awareness of nursing students regarding Human papillomaviruses infection and vaccination

Abstract

Background/Aim: Human papillomaviruses (HPV) is the most common sexually\n transmitted infection. Most HPV infections are transient and asymptomatic.\n Routine vaccination against HPV is the best prophylaxis against HPV\n infection. The aim of present study was to determine knowledge and risk\n factors about HPV infection, and the attitudes towards vaccination against\n HPV infection among nursing students. Methods: This cross-sectional study\n was conducted in a random sample of 175 nursing students. For statistical\n data analysis was done with t-test for and Mann-Whitney U test. Results:\n Most respondents (93.1%) knew that HPV infection may cause cervical cancer,\n and that it is a sexually transmitted infection (80.0%). Only 31.4% were\n aware that HPV may cause head and neck cancer and only 22.9% were aware that\n smoking is a risk factor for HPV infection. Male respondents (p=<0.05) and\n third-year respondents (p=<0.05) were significantly aware that men can be\n infected with HPV. Third-year respondents were significantly aware that\n early sexual intercourse increases the risk of HPV infection (p=<0.05), that\n HPV infection can be asymptomatic (p=<0.05). Respondents below 26 years\n (p=<0.05) and first-year respondents (p=<0.05) were significantly aware that\n men can also be vaccinated against HPV infection. Conclusion: The present\n study found that the respondents emphasised the importance of health\n education by nurses and vaccination against HPV infection. Due to the low\n vaccination rate of the population, preventive measures are needed to\n increase public awareness about vaccination against HPV, for which nurses\n are also responsible.