Knowledge differences between male and female university students about human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer: Implications for health strategies and vaccination.
Knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer (CC) depends on several factors such as gender and education, which brings implications for health strategies and vaccination. A survey was conducted in Portugal with a representative sample of 1706 university students. Only 55.4% (n=945) had already heard of HPV, although 88.3% (n=834) from that know that is a risk factor for CC. 89% students (n=841) wants to be vaccinated against it, but only 13.8% stated as main reason to be vaccinated "prevention of the disease". Mean scores of knowledge were calculated. Statistical differences were found, regarding "CC knowledge", in gender (p<0.001) and between health sciences schools and non-health sciences schools (p<0.001). Differences regarding the study area in "knowledge and beliefs of HPV" (p<0.001) and in "relation between HPV and CC" (p<0.001) were found. Therefore, these differences may help to develop effective strategies that lead to decline CC incidence and mortality.
Molecular Oncology GRP, Instituto Português de Oncologia-Porto, Portugal. ruimedei@ipoporto.min-saude.pt
Rui
R
Medeiros
Diana
D
Ramada
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011174:Portugal; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines