Assessment of Knowledge Regarding HPV Vaccination among Medical Students

Amna Baloch; Shumaila Rind; Rashida Ghumro; Shabana Ramzan; Shaista Lashari; Kainat Ali

doi:10.70749/ijbr.v3i1.523

Authors

Amna Baloch Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women (PUMHSW), Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan.
Shumaila Rind Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women (PUMHSW), Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan.
Rashida Ghumro Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women (PUMHSW), Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan.
Shabana Ramzan Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women (PUMHSW), Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan.
Shaista Lashari Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Shaikh Zaid Women Hospital, Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan.
Kainat Ali Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women (PUMHSW), Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i1.523

Keywords:

HPV Vaccination, Medical Students, Knowledge Assessment, Vaccine Safety, Public Health, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a serious worldwide public health issue since it has been connected to illnesses including cervical cancer. Although there are effective HPV vaccines available, medical students' lack of knowledge may make it more difficult for them to encourage vaccination and lower the risks of HPV-related illnesses. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of HPV vaccination among medical students, identifying key areas of strength and weakness to inform targeted educational interventions. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2023 at People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women (PUMHSW), Nawabshah, Pakistan, involving 420 medical students. A standardized, self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data, and SPSS was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to look at relationships between knowledge levels and demographic characteristics. Results: The survey found that although most people (90%) were aware of HPV's role in cancer and the advantages of vaccination (82.38%), fewer people (80.95%) were aware of the safety of vaccines. Age, academic year, and knowledge levels were shown to be significantly correlated; and older students (88.89%, p = 0.01) showed better knowledge. Compared to students in higher academic years, those in lower academic years, especially those in their first year (93.33%, p = 0.01), exhibited noticeably lower knowledge levels. Conclusion: While medical students possess strong awareness of HPV and vaccination benefits, gaps in knowledge regarding vaccine safety persist. Addressing these gaps through targeted educational interventions is essential to enhance HPV vaccination advocacy and public health outcomes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Forman, D., De Martel, C., Lacey, C. J., Soerjomataram, I., Lortet-Tieulent, J., Bruni, L., Vignat, J., Ferlay, J., Bray, F., Plummer, M., & Franceschi, S. (2012). Global burden of human papillomavirus and related diseases. Vaccine, 30, F12-F23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.07.055

Serrano, B., Brotons, M., Bosch, F. X., & Bruni, L. (2018). Epidemiology and burden of HPV-related disease. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 47, 14-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2017.08.006

Kamaraju, S., Drope, J., Sankaranarayanan, R., & Shastri, S. (2020). Cancer prevention in low-resource countries: An overview of the opportunity. American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book, (40), 72-83. https://doi.org/10.1200/edbk_280625

Crosignani, P., De Stefani, A., Fara, G. M., Isidori, A. M., Lenzi, A., Liverani, C. A., Lombardi, A., Mennini, F. S., Palu’, G., Pecorelli, S., Peracino, A. P., Signorelli, C., & Zuccotti, G. V. (2013). Towards the eradication of HPV infection through universal specific vaccination. BMC Public Health, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-642

Tobaiqy, M., & MacLure, K. (2024). A systematic review of human papillomavirus vaccination challenges and strategies to enhance uptake. Vaccines, 12(7), 746. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12070746

Iliadou, M., Sahini, K., Sakellari, E., Daglas, M., Orovou, E., Iatrakis, G., & Antoniou, E. (2021). What do young people think about HPV and HPV vaccination? The role of health education interventions and health professionals. Materia Socio Medica, 33(3), 219. https://doi.org/10.5455/msm.2021.33.219-224

Leung, S. O., Akinwunmi, B., Elias, K. M., & Feldman, S. (2019). Educating healthcare providers to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates: A qualitative systematic review. Vaccine: X, 3, 100037. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvacx.2019.100037

Berenson, A. B., Hirth, J. M., Chang, M., Kuo, Y., Richard, P., & Jones, D. L. (2021). A brief educational intervention can improve nursing students’ knowledge of the human papillomavirus vaccine and readiness to counsel. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 17(7), 1952-1960. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2020.1852871

Lubeya, M. K., Zekire Nyirenda, J. C., Chanda Kabwe, J., & Mukosha, M. (2022). Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards human papillomavirus vaccination among medical doctors at a tertiary hospital: A cross sectional study. Cancer Control, 29. https://doi.org/10.1177/10732748221132646

Darville-Sanders, G., Reinoso, H., MacInnes, J., Corluyan, E., Munroe, D., Mathis, M. W., Madden, S. L., Hamrick, J., Dickerson, L., & Gaddis, C. (2022). HPV vaccine communication competency scale for medical trainees: Interdisciplinary development study. JMIR Formative Research, 6(11), e38164. https://doi.org/10.2196/38164

Staples, J. N., Wong, M. S., & Rimel, B. (2018). An educational intervention to improve human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer knowledge among African American College students. Gynecologic Oncology, 149(1), 101-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2017.10.015

Yacobi, E., Tennant, C., Ferrante, J., Pal, N., & Roetzheim, R. (1999). University students' knowledge and awareness of HPV. Preventive Medicine, 28(6), 535-541. https://doi.org/10.1006/pmed.1999.0486

Iliyasu, Z., Galadanci, H. S., Muhammad, A., Iliyasu, B. Z., Umar, A. A., & Aliyu, M. H. (2021). Correlates of human papillomavirus vaccine knowledge and acceptability among medical and allied health students in Northern Nigeria. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 42(3), 452-460. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443615.2021.1910639

Ali, S. F., Ayub, S., Manzoor, N. F., Azim, S., Afif, M., Akhtar, N., Jafery, W. A., Tahir, I., Farid-ul-Hasnian, S., & Uddin, N. (2010). Knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and its prevention amongst interns and nursing staff in tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. PLoS ONE, 5(6), e11059. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0011059

Kitur, H., Horowitz, A. M., Beck, K., & Wang, M. Q. (2021). HPV knowledge, vaccine status, and health literacy among University students. Journal of Cancer Education, 37(6), 1606-1613. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-021-01997-1

Boakye, E. A., Tobo, B. B., Rojek, R. P., Mohammed, K. A., Geneus, C. J., & Osazuwa-Peters, N. (2017). Approaching a decade since HPV vaccine licensure: Racial and gender disparities in knowledge and awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 13(11), 2713-2722. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2017.1363133

Biselli-Monteiro, M., Ferracini, A. C., Sarian, L. O., & Derchain, S. F. (2020). Influence of gender and undergraduate course on the knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccine, and vaccination rate among students of a public University. Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia / RBGO Gynecology and Obstetrics, 42(02), 096-105. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1701466