title: Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus and Acceptability to Vaccinate in Adolescents and Young Adults of the Moroccan Population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is estimated to play an etiologic role in 99.7% of cervical cancer. Vaccines can prevent up to 70% of the cervical cancer caused by HPV 16 and 18. The present study was designed to define the knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine acceptability among Moroccan youth. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A nationwide anonymous questionnaire with a sample of 688 adolescents (12-17 years) and 356 young adults (18-30 years) was organized, that asked about HPV, origin of cervical cancer, Papanicolaou (Pap) test, and acceptability of HPV vaccine. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, a low frequency (213/1044 = 20%) of HPV knowledge was observed among the studied population. A multivariate model analysis showed that age, educational level, and knowledge of the Pap test remained significantly associated factors with HPV knowledge. Additionally, only 27% (282/1044) of participants were willing to accept HPV vaccination. Highest acceptability was observed among young adults compared with adolescents (166/356 = 46.6% vs 116/688 = 16.9%). Sixty-two percent (103/165) of male participants accepted the HPV vaccine compared with only 20.4% (179/879) of female participants. Educational level, type of school, and knowledge of the Pap test were associated factors with HPV vaccine acceptability in a multivariate model analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study showed a low level of HPV knowledge and HPV vaccine acceptability among Moroccan youth. Promotion of activities and sensitization are required to maximize public awareness in the future. This objective can be achieved with the use of media, active efforts by health care providers, and introduction of sexual education in school programs.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neurosciences, Integrated Diseases and Natural Substances, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, Hassan II University, Mohammedia, Morocco. Electronic address: yassinezouheir@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yassine
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zouheir
authors.affiliation: Casablanca, Morocco.
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Daouam
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neurosciences, Integrated Diseases and Natural Substances, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, Hassan II University, Mohammedia, Morocco.
authors.forename: Salsabil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hamdi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biotechnology, Valorisation and Protection of AgroResources, Faculty of Science and Technology, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco.
authors.forename: Abdelaaziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alaoui
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neurosciences, Integrated Diseases and Natural Substances, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, Hassan II University, Mohammedia, Morocco.
authors.forename: Taoufiq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fechtali
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009018:Morocco; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D065006:Papanicolaou Test / Q000523:psychology; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D012574:Schools; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
keywords: Acceptability; Adolescents; Human papillomavirus vaccine; Knowledge