HPV Knowledge Among Female College Students and the Short Term Effectiveness of HPV Education

Abstract

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection affecting one-half to three-fourths of sexually active individuals over the course of their lifetime. It causes genital warts, cervical dysplasia, and cervical cancer. Although HPV has been in the news recently with the FDA’s approval of the Gardasil vaccine, many women are still unclear on the basic facts regarding HPV and cervical cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine if a brief educational intervention improves college enrolled women’s knowledge on HPV. To test this, a study was designed which tested a small group of college-enrolled females on basic HPV information using a questionnaire which contained seven true or false questions about HPV and related issues. The students were then briefly educated on HPV, provided with an informative handout, and tested again one month after this intervention. Students scored significantly better on HPV questions one month post-intervention, demonstrating increased knowledge of basic HPV information. This study suggested that brief HPV education, which can easily be replicated in a clinician’s office, does increase short term knowledge on HPV. Although further studies are necessary regarding the effects of HPV education, education in the classroom or clinician’s office should be considered as a preventative measure for genital warts and cervical cancer.