Knowledge and attitudes towards human papillomavirus infection among the first year students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Serbia

Abstract

Introduction. Persistent infection with highly oncogenic human papillomavirus is associated with premalignant cervical lesions and cervical cancer, as well as cancers of the vulva and vagina. The aim of the study was to determine the level of knowledge and attitudes towards human papillomavirus infection, its risk factors, clinical manifestations and the use of contraception. Material and Methods. A total of 355 first-year students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, filled in a non-standardized, self-administered questionnaire designed for the purpose of this study. The collected data included: sexual history of the respondents, the use and knowledge of contraception, human papillomavirus infection, and human papillomavirus vaccine. Results. About 89% of students have heard of human papillomavirus infection, while 75.5% of them knew that human papillomavirus infection is a sexually transmitted disease. Accurate knowledge about human papillomavirus infection was low, while female students showed higher levels of knowledge compared to the male (4.03 ? 3.07 versus 5.56 ?3.37; p < 0.01). Only 27.6% of students knew that young women are at a higher risk of human papillomavirus infection, 45.9% of the respondents knew that the risk of human papillomavirus infection depends on the number of sexual partners, 34.09% of them knew that a condom does not provide complete protection against human papillomavirus infection, 53.5% knew that human papillomavirus can cause cervical cancer, and only 19.7% of students knew that human papillomavirus infection can cause penile cancer. Conclusion. The first-year medical students showed a lack of knowledge about human papillomavirus infection and human papillomavirus-related diseases. General education and health education of young people is necessary primarily in secondary schools, in order to preserve the reproductive health and prevent human papillomavirus-related cancers.