Knowledge, attitude, and practice on HPV vaccination among pre-university female students

Abstract

Background: Despite the availability of the HPV vaccine in our country, the mortality secondary to cervical cancer is still high as not many are interested in vaccinating the at-risk population. Hence, a study was conducted to identify the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination in pre-university female students.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Tumkur district of India amongst female students studying in pre-university colleges.
Results: A total of 271 female students were included in the study. The mean knowledge score of the study population was 5.6/17 and only 169 (62%) students were aware of the effects of HPV. A total of 144 (53%) study participants were willing to take HPV vaccination if provided but 1/3 of them backed out after knowing the cost of vaccination. The study participants from the urban area had more knowledge about the effects of HPV (118/160 vs. 51/111; p <0> Conclusion: The study population was found to have poor knowledge about HPV infection and HPV vaccination. Only 53% of study participants were willing to take HPV vaccination if provided but 1/3 of them backed out after knowing the cost of vaccination. The urban group was more knowledgeable than the rural group but both groups had a similar attitude and practice toward HPV infection and its vaccination.