Abstract
BackgroundHuman Papillomavirus (HPV) -associated cervical cancer is the second-most common cancer in women worldwide but it is the most frequent gynaecological cancer and cancer associated death in India women. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge about cervical cancer, HPV, HPV vaccine, HPV vaccine acceptance among school and undergraduates students and their parent’s perception about acceptance of HPV vaccine in Northern part of India (Delhi and NCR regions).Materials and MethodsA qualitative questionnaire based survey among 2500 urban/rural students aged 12–22 years was conducted.ResultsOverall, a low frequency (15%) of HPV and cervical cancer awareness was observed in students and their parents. However, the awareness was much higher in females belonging to urban setup compared to boys with a perception that HPV causes cervical cancer in women only. Additionally, only (13%) participants who were aware of cervical cancer and HPV) were willing to accept HPV vaccination. Apparently, parents of female students were two times more willing to accept HPV vaccination for their ward than male students (p<0.001; OR 95%CI = 2.09 (1.58–2.76).ConclusionCervical cancer and HPV awareness among school, undergraduate students and also to their parents was found to be very low in this part of India. The level of awareness and education appears to be insignificant determinants in rural compared to urban setup. Better health education will be needed to maximize public awareness for cervical cancer prevention.
Highlights
Cancer of the uterine cervix is the second-most common cancer in women worldwide but it is the most common health hazard in India [1]. 80% of sexually active women infected with persistent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection leads invasive cervical cancer [1,2,3]
Two hundred eighty six (11.44%) students were in the education group of 6–8th standard, eight hundred thirteen (32.52%) students were of 10–11th standard whereas fourteen hundred and one (56.04%) students were of 12th standard as well as of undergraduate level respectively
Further stratification of data with respect to religion revealed a higher participation rate of Hindu students (68.56%) which was evident as majority of Hindu population is dominant in these areas whereas 31.44% were of Muslim students
Summary
Cancer of the uterine cervix is the second-most common cancer in women worldwide but it is the most common health hazard in India [1]. 80% of sexually active women infected with persistent HPV infection leads invasive cervical cancer [1,2,3]. Screening for cervical infection of HPV has proved to be more effective and reliable [5]. Two HPV vaccines quadrivalent ‘‘Gardasil’’ and bivalent ‘‘Cervarix’’ have been shown to be highly effective in preventing infection with high-risk type HPV16 and HPV18, the two most common oncogenic types. As these vaccines are highly effective before exposure to HPV, current guidelines prioritise adolescent girls as primary target group for HPV vaccination [6]. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) -associated cervical cancer is the second-most common cancer in women worldwide but it is the most frequent gynaecological cancer and cancer associated death in India women. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge about cervical cancer, HPV, HPV vaccine, HPV vaccine acceptance among school and undergraduates students and their parent’s perception about acceptance of HPV vaccine in Northern part of India (Delhi and NCR regions)
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