We Get Vaccinated, But Do We Really Know Why?: Evaluation of Knowledge on HPV Infection and Vaccination in Medical School Students with HPV Vaccine

• Main Authors: Hüseyin Aytaç ERDEM, Meltem IŞIKGÖZ TAŞBAKAN, Gamze ŞANLIDAĞ, Ecem Saadet KANPAK, Hüsnü PULLUKÇU
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bilimsel Tip Yayinevi 2020-03-01
• Series: Flora Infeksiyon Hastalıkları ve Klinik Mikrobiyoloji Dergisi
• Subjects: human papilloma virus; hpv vaccines; knowledge level
• Online Access: http://www.floradergisi.org/getFileContent.aspx?op=REDPDF&file_name=2020-25-01-062-068.pdf
• ISSN: 1300-932X; 1308-5115

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA virus belonging to the Papillomaviridae family and infects only humans. HPV virus has an important role in the development of cervical cancer and anogenital warts, and it is also responsible for oropharyngeal cancers and penile cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes about HPV and HPV vaccines in medical students with HPV vaccine. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 30 close-ended questions was applied to the medical students with HPV vaccine between February 1- May 31, 2019 in the Faculty of Medicine. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistical methods. Results: Eighty-five medical students enrolled in the study, 5% (n= 5) were males and 95% (n= 80) were females. The number of participants who responded correctly to the questions about HPV transmission pathways, symptoms, diseases, HPV vaccine protection, and screening methods was 4% (n= 3). The average number of correct answers was 14.3 (min: 8, max: 18). 96% (n= 82) of the participants responded to the question related to condom use in people who have been vaccinated with HPV as “required to use” or “use condoms”, and 4% (n= 3) stated that this information was wrong. For the question about genital herpes and HPV, 45 % (n= 38) of the participants stated that they might be related, and 9% (n= 8) did not know. Conclusion: The rates of HPV vaccine application in our country are still low. Vaccination of health workers is very important. Firstly, acquiring the right information and completing their own vaccines will increase immunization rates.