Knowledge and Awareness of Cervical Cancer and Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine among Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim Cervical cancer is still one of the most common cancers affecting females in India, leading to a lot of mortality and morbidity. Since it is a preventable cancer, the study is aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer and human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine among medical students. Materials and methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted among the medical students in a tertiary care center in Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Puducherry, India. Three hundred students were administered a validated 53-point questionnaire regarding knowledge of cervical cancer, its risk factors, preventive measures, HPV vaccine, and screening tests. Data were kept confidential and the results were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 16. Results The results show 93.3% of students were aware that cervical cancer is caused by HPV, but only 61.4% knew that HPV vaccine was available. Majority of the students were uncertain about age group, number of doses, and side effects of vaccine. Only 11.74% felt the need to get vaccinated in future; 96.64% of students knew that pap smear was used to screen for cervical cancer, but only 57.72% opted to screen themselves or family members in future as they believed that they were not at risk. The common obstacle against vaccination was worry about complications, inadequate information, and efficacy of vaccine. Conclusion The study showed that there were misconceptions among medical students regarding cervical cancer, vaccine, and screening, which have to be cleared. Creating awareness among health care workers on risk factors, vaccination, and current methods for cervical cancer screening is a necessary step toward implementing effective prevention programs in the society. How to cite this article Rathod S, Samal SK, Samal S, Ghose S. Knowledge and Awareness of Cervical Cancer and Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine among Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study. J South Asian Feder Menopause Soc 2017;5(1):41-44.