Awareness and attitude towards human papillomavirus vaccination for cervical cancer prevention among college students in South Kerala

Athena Backer; Aparna Venu Sudha; Aiswarya Suresh; Afla Subhana; Daniya Ahammed

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20243284

Authors

Athena Backer Department of Community Medicine, Travancore Medical College, Kollam, Kerala, India
Aparna Venu Sudha Department of Community Medicine, Travancore Medical College, Kollam, Kerala, India
Aiswarya Suresh Department of Community Medicine, Travancore Medical College, Kollam, Kerala, India
Afla Subhana Department of Community Medicine, Travancore Medical College, Kollam, Kerala, India
Daniya Ahammed Department of Community Medicine, Travancore Medical College, Kollam, Kerala, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20243284

Keywords:

Awareness, Cervical cancer, HPV, HPV vaccination, Practice

Abstract

Background: Carcinoma cervix is the second most common cancer among women, and the most common cause of cancer deaths in developed countries, but the awareness regarding it’s prevention by HPV vaccine is limited. This study targets to identify the awareness of cervical cancer and HPV vaccine among the college students.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 963 college students of Kollam district of South Kerala, using a semi-structured questionnaire.

Results: Among the study subjects, only 48.6% had previously heard about HPV vaccine, 85.6% knew HPV causes cervical cancer, 80.2% recommends HPV vaccine to their siblings and peers. Medical students had better awareness, practice of HPV vaccination was less among medical and non-medical students; 11.6% medical students and 4.9% non- medical students had taken HPV vaccination.

Conclusions: Even though awareness regarding cervical cancer is present, to increase the practice of HPV vaccination, proper health education regarding HPV vaccination is of prime importance among college students.

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