Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude, and Opinion of the Faculty of Health Sciences Students Toward Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and HPV Vaccines

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the world, and cervical cancer, which has been proven to be associated with HPV, is the third-most common cancer in women in the world.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and opinion of the Faculty of Health Sciences students toward the HPV and vaccination.

Methods: The study was conducted using a cross-sectional research design. The sample of the research consisted of 576 students studying at the Faculty of Health Sciences of a university. The data were collected using the forms prepared online, including an introductory information form and the Human Papillomavirus Information scale. The data were evaluated using percentage, standard deviation, frequency, mean, median, minimum–maximum values, Mann–Whitney U test, and Kruskal–Wallis tests.

Results: It was determined that 19.8% of the students were studying at the department of midwifery, 36.8% were studying at the department of nursing, and 2.1% had a family history of cervical cancer. Those who were studying at the midwifery and nursing departments had been living in a small town for a long period, and learned about HPV during undergraduate education was found to have a higher level of knowledge on HPV screening tests and vaccination. Had the intent to be vaccinated and had already been vaccinated, received training from the health-care professionals on HPV vaccine, and advocated that the opinion of family members about vaccination is not of importance and all genders should be vaccinated were found to have a higher level of knowledge on HPV screening tests and vaccination (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Students studying at the faculty of health sciences should have more information about sexually transmitted diseases since they represent future health-care professionals.