Assessment of Knowledge about the Human Papillomavirus and Factors Influencing the Attitude Towards Recommended Protective Vaccinations against HPV among the Inhabitants of the Lodz Voivodeship

Abstract

Abstract Background HPV (human papilloma virus) is one of the most common viral infections and almost every sexually active person will be infected with it during their lifetime. Infection may be asymptomatic or clinically manifest causing multiple disease units. There is primary prevention available in the form of recommended protective vaccinations. Objective To assess knowledge about the human papillomavirus and factors influencing the attitude towards recommended HPV vaccinations among the inhabitants of the Lodz Voivodeship. Material and methods Original online survey questionnaire consisting of 20 questions. The study involved 134 participants. Results 80.6% of the respondents knew what the abbreviation HPV means. 75.0% of them correctly identified the route of sexual contact as the route of the virus transmission. The majority, i.e., 85.1%, of those surveyed indicated cervical cancer as a disease that may be the result of HPV infection. 92.5% of respondents were aware of the existence of the HPV vaccine, while 72.9% of them were aware that it was recommended for both girls and boys. 92.3% of those who had been vaccinated in the past supported the recommended protective vaccinations, as well as 52.4% of those who had not been vaccinated, and 46.2% of those with unknown vaccination history Conclusions Medical workers were more knowledgeable about the human papillomavirus than non-medical workers, so physicians should constantly educate their patients. People who were vaccinated in the past have a more positive attitude towards vaccination than people were not vaccinated. Information campaigns should be organized for the inhabitants of the Lodz Voivodeship to promote knowledge about pathogenicity, risk factors, and HPV prevention and its methods.