title: Knowledge, perception and attitude towards human papillomavirus among pre-university students in Malaysia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To evaluate the knowledge, perception and attitudes towards human papilloma virus (HPV) among pre-university students in Malaysia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross sectional study, between November 2013 to March 2014, in a public university, a convenient sampling method was used. A total of 716 respondents were recruited and interviewed with a set of standard questionnaires for assessment of knowledge, perception and attitudes towards HPV and predictor variables associated with level of knowledge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost half (48.9%) of the respondents scored less than 5 and were categorised as having poor knowledge. Three hundred and twelve (43.6%) respondents had moderate knowledge and only 54 (7.5%) respondents exhibited good knowledge with the score of 11 and above. Only 142 (20%) students perceived themselves to be vulnerable to HPV infection though 560 (78.2%) students thought that HPV infection is a serious disease. Perceived benefits and desire to be vaccinated were significantly associated with gender (p=0.000) and knowledge of HPV vaccine and cervical cancer (p=0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The level of knowledge regarding HPV among the pre-university students was low. However, student intention for vaccination increased with increasing level of knowledge. Thus, efforts to improve knowledge and awareness should be prioritised to increase uptake of the HPV vaccination programme and hence reduce morbidity and mortality from consequences of HPV infection, including cervical carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UKM Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia E-mail : nbk_9955@yahoo.com; nbk9955@ppukm.ukm.edu.my.
authors.forename: Ng Beng
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Kwang
authors.forename: Choy Mun
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: Lim Pei
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Shan
authors.forename: Chew Kah
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Teik
authors.forename: Kampan Nirmala
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Chandralega
authors.forename: Abdul Karim
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Abdul Kadir
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000502:physiology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000821:virology; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010465:Perception; D011379:Prognosis; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000821:virology; D014611:Vaccination; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines