Knowledge, attitude and practices towards human papillomavirus infection, vaccination and cervical cancer among paramedical students at a Sri Lankan University

Abstract

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, and HPV is an aetiological agent for cervical cancer (CC). In Sri Lanka, CC is the second most frequent cancer affecting women. The present study was undertaken to determine knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) regarding HPV infection, vaccination and CC among paramedical students of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (FAHS), University of Peradeniya. Methods: A purposive sample of 200 students following 5 different degree programmes at FAHS including 128 females and 72 males were surveyed. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to assess the KAP, and the analysis scale used for KAP ranged from ‘satisfactory’ and ‘fair’ to ‘inadequate’. Results: Twelve percent of the study participants reached fair to satisfactory knowledge scores on HPV infection, vaccination and CC. A significant difference in the knowledge score was noted between males and females, academic year of study, and ethnicities. A percentage of 79.5 of the study participants reached fair to satisfactory attitude scores towards HPV infection, vaccination and CC. Attitude score also significantly differed between males and females. Only 12% of the participants reached a fair to satisfactory practice score and no significant difference was noted among different categories in the practice score. Conclusion: Overall, knowledge and practice scores regarding HPV infection, vaccination, CC and its preventive measures among the respondents were low. However, the majority of study participants had a positive attitude. As considerable gaps in KAP exists in many areas, and there is an urgent need for educational programmes to improve KAP related to the prevention of HPV infection and CC including vaccination among paramedical students.