Evaluation of awareness and high-risk behavior associated with genital wart in married female students

Abstract

Introduction: Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a widespread sexually transmitted disease that could cause serious consequences for women. Students' high-risk behavior and lack of preventive activities are associated with an increased risk of HPV infection. This study evaluates the awareness and high-risk behavior associated with genital wart in married female students. Methods: This is a descriptive study conducted on 410 married female students of nonmedical majors in Scientific-Practical Center of Health Department in Bandar Abbas, Iran. Sampling was done based on systematic random sampling method. Data were collected by valid and reliable questionnaires made by researcher that had 3 parts (demographics, awareness investigation, and high-risk behaviors detection). The data were entered into SPSS statistical software and were analyzed using t-test, Chi-square, correlation, and regression test. Results: The average age of students was 23.1 years .Most of subjects (88%) did not pass check-ups for regular screening of genital wart in the last two years. Most of them had never heard the name of genital wart (82%) and those students who had heard the name of genital wart were informed by their friends as the source of information (98%). Evaluation of awareness about genital wart in married female students showed that most of the students had not complete awareness (score 9) toward the illness. The relationship between age and high-risk behaviors of students was statistically significant (P