Human Papillomavirus Infection and Vaccination: Knowledge, Attitude and Perception among Undergraduate Men and Women Healthcare University Students in Switzerland.

Jeannot Jeannot,Viviano Viviano,Follonier Follonier,Mpinga Mpinga,Petignat Petignat,Kaech Kaech,Kaiser Kaiser,Vassilakos Vassilakos,Oberhauser Oberhauser

doi:10.3390/vaccines7040130

Abstract

Background: Human Papillomavirus is a common sexually transmitted infection, representing the main cause of genital warts and cervical cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate basic knowledge and beliefs regarding HPV infection and HPV vaccine among undergraduate healthcare men and women students, as well as their attitudes towards HPV vaccine. Methods: Undergraduate women and men (nursing and midwifery curses) attending three Schools of Health Sciences located in Switzerland. A total of 427 women and 223 men have completed the web questionnaire, which included questions on their socio-demographic background and about basic knowledge and attitudes toward the HPV infection and vaccination. Results: Women undergraduate students have a better knowledge of HPV infection than their men counterparts, although there was a significant gap in knowledge of the disease’s mode of transmission and prevention. Among women, 72.6% of respondents reported having received at least one dose of HPV vaccines versus 31.4% for men respondents. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed a poor understanding among undergraduate healthcare men and women students about the HPV infection, its mode of transmission and its prevention. Our findings highlight the need to improve education on HPV for undergraduate healthcare students in order to increase the awareness of the disease.

Highlights

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral of the reproductive system
A total of 650 men and women undergraduate students accepted to participate in the study and answered the entire questionnaire online and were included in the study
This study represents the first effort in evaluating the HPV vaccination coverage rate in a population of young men

Summary

Introduction

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral of the reproductive system. Most sexually-active men and women will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives, while some of them will be repeatedly infected [1]. Papilloma viruses can be transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. While they privilege the genital mucosae, these viruses can reach the throat and cause pre-cancerous or cancerous lesions [2]. HPV infections are responsible for other forms of cancer that can affect men. Low-risk HPV can cause ano-genital warts (condyloma), which are common in both men and women. Human Papillomavirus is a common sexually transmitted infection, representing the main cause of genital warts and cervical cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate basic knowledge and beliefs regarding HPV infection and HPV vaccine among undergraduate healthcare men and women students, as well as their attitudes towards HPV vaccine

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion