Knowledge Regarding Cervical Cancer and Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Cervical cancer caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is ranked as the second most common cancer among women worldwide and is a major cause of female mortality. Two vaccines against HPV have been approved and recommended for use in India. However, the availability of the vaccines is hardly known and utilised, even among the medical community. To assess the knowledge and attitude and acceptance of cervical cancer and human papilloma virus vaccine among medical students. In this cross sectional study, 150 medical students of age group > 18 years were included. A self administered, validated questionnaire for knowledge of symptoms, screening, risk factors for cervical cancer and HPV vaccine and also the acceptability of HPV vaccine was assessed over duration from December 2022 to March 2023 in a tertiary care teaching hospital, Anantapur, India. The data obtained was analysed with descriptive statistics by using Microsoft excel 2019.The results show 98.4% of students were aware that cervical cancer is caused by HPV, but only 84.7% knew that HPV vaccine was available. About 72% felt the need to get vaccinated in future; 97.3% of students knew that pap smear was used to screen for cervical cancer, but only 63.3% opted to screen themselves or family members in future as they believed that they were not at risk.In the present study, although the knowledge was satisfactory, a gap was found between the knowledge and attitude regarding cervical cancer and HPV vaccine and there is a need for creating awareness among health care professionals.