Knowledge About Human Papilloma Virus Among Medical Students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Background: Physicians’ knowledge and comments are important in the uptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) screening among women. We aimed to evaluate the knowledge of ​senior medical students on HPV as future physicians of Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between March 2021 and May 2021. All final-year medical students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were invited to complete an online standardized questionnaire through a mobile app. The Independent samples t test was performed for data analysis in SPSS software version 16. Results: In the present study, 215 female medical students and 128 male ones participated, with an average age of 23.14 (SD=1.21) years. Most of the students (85.67%) were single. The average knowledge score of the students was 9.25 (SD=6.21), demonstrating their low level of knowledge of HPV. Furthermore, no significant score differences were observed between students regarding their gender and marital status. Conclusion: Regarding the low scores of final-year medical students’ knowledge of HPV, educational programs should be directed to HPV to improve medical students’ knowledge about this virus and its related diseases.