Perception of human papillomavirus infection, cervical cancer and HPV vaccination in North Indian population.
BACKGROUND
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) -associated cervical cancer is the second-most common cancer in women worldwide but it is the most frequent gynaecological cancer and cancer associated death in India women. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge about cervical cancer, HPV, HPV vaccine, HPV vaccine acceptance among school and undergraduates students and their parent's perception about acceptance of HPV vaccine in Northern part of India (Delhi and NCR regions).


METHODS
A qualitative questionnaire based survey among 2500 urban/rural students aged 12-22 years was conducted.


RESULTS
Overall, a low frequency (15%) of HPV and cervical cancer awareness was observed in students and their parents. However, the awareness was much higher in females belonging to urban setup compared to boys with a perception that HPV causes cervical cancer in women only. Additionally, only (13%) participants who were aware of cervical cancer and HPV) were willing to accept HPV vaccination. Apparently, parents of female students were two times more willing to accept HPV vaccination for their ward than male students (p<0.001; OR 95%CI = 2.09 (1.58-2.76).


CONCLUSIONS
Cervical cancer and HPV awareness among school, undergraduate students and also to their parents was found to be very low in this part of India. The level of awareness and education appears to be insignificant determinants in rural compared to urban setup. Better health education will be needed to maximize public awareness for cervical cancer prevention.
Division of Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry, Institute of Cytology & Preventive Oncology (ICMR), Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Showket
S
Hussain
Division of Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry, Institute of Cytology & Preventive Oncology (ICMR), Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Vilas
V
Nasare
Division of Clinical Oncology, Institute of Cytology & Preventive Oncology (ICMR), Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Malasha
M
Kumari
Division of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Institute of Cytology & Preventive Oncology (ICMR), Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Shashi
S
Sharma
Division of Behaviour Oncology, Institute of Cytology & Preventive Oncology (ICMR), Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Mohammad Aijaz
MA
Khan
Division of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Cytology & Preventive Oncology (ICMR), Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Bhudev C
BC
Das
Division of Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry, Institute of Cytology & Preventive Oncology (ICMR), Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Mausumi
M
Bharadwaj
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010290:Parents; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D055815:Young Adult
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines