Availability Of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Research Articles

An Analysis of the Knowledge Among Midwifery Students at Medical University-Pleven Regarding Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV-Associated Diseases.

Background and objective Comprehensive health literacy and prevention have been the key methods to reduce the spread of human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV-associated diseasedevelopment. Raising awareness among young individuals about the risk factors and the ways to prevent the infection is often the starting point of primary prevention. In light of this, we aimed to assess the awareness ofmidwifery students at Medical University-Pleven about(HPV) and HPV-associated diseases. Material and methods We conducted a survey-based studyamong first-year studentsat Medical University-Pleven in the period spanning January to March 2020, which involved a direct group survey. We initially reached out to 445 students and 284 (63.8%) of them responded; 12 of them were midwifery students. In the period from May through November 2022, the same type of survey was repeated among 75 midwifery students, and 47 (62.7%) responded.A set of classic statistical methods were used to present and analyze the collected quantitative and qualitative data. Theresponses in the questionnaires were reviewed and recoded according to the requirements of the statistical program.The significance of the results, the findings, and the conclusions was set at p<0.05. A comparative analysis was employed to statistically compare the results to present the differences between the groups of traits studied. Data processing was performed using MS Office Excel 2019 and SPSS Statistics v.28 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Over half (70.6%) of the first-year midwifery students were aware of the infection caused by HPV. Among them, 10 students (29.4%) were familiar with the risk factors for HPV and HPV-associated diseases, and all of the fourth-year respondents knew about the studied issue.The majority of the respondents - 61.8% of the freshmen and 100% of the fourth-year students- were aware of HPV vaccine availability. Conclusions In the course of their training, the midwifery students at Medical University-Pleven acquired enough knowledge about the risk factors ofHPV-associated diseases and the availability of vaccines to prevent them.

Occupational Exposure to Aerosolized Human Papillomavirus: Assessing and Addressing Perceptions of and Barriers to Vaccination of at-Risk Health Care Workers.

This study aimed to assess current vaccination rates among health care workers at risk for occupational human papillomavirus (HPV) exposure and explore factors that influence decisions about HPV vaccination. Using a mixed-methods design, this study included a questionnaire and qualitative focus groups. The study took place at an academic medical center. Participants were 37 health care professionals in occupations at risk for workplace HPV exposure. The primary qualitative outcome measured was HPV vaccination status. The primary qualitative outcomes assessed were perceptions of occupational HPV exposure risk, protective measures, and HPV vaccination. Most participants were female (86.5%, n = 32) and younger than 35 years (51.4%; n = 19) and therefore would have been eligible to receive the HPV vaccine series as a teenager or young adult. Nearly two-thirds (67.6%; n = 25) of participants had received the HPV vaccine; of those, half were vaccinated as teenagers (52%; n = 13). One-third (n = 4) of those vaccinated as adults reported vaccination due to workplace HPV exposure. Focus groups revealed themes consistent with the Health Belief Model. Most participants recognized their risk of aerosolized HPV exposure in the workplace but felt uneducated about occupational exposure risk and protective measures. Many participants recognized risk of exposure through surgical smoke but perceived that risk was stratified by medical specialty, proximity to surgical field, and personal protective equipment use. Many participants had some level of concern for head and neck lesions with exposure to aerosolized HPV. Most participants recognized the need to protect themselves against workplace HPV exposure. Those who were vaccinated felt that they were better protected against HPV exposure. Almost all participants said that they had not received formal education on workplace HPV exposure risk. Many participants voiced perceived barriers to HPV vaccination. Health care workers encounter the HPV virus in a myriad of fields and procedures. Our mixed-methods study demonstrated that at-risk health care workers feel uninformed about their risk of HPV exposure in the workplace, availability of HPV vaccination, and appropriate protective equipment recommendations.

Improving HPV Vaccination Uptake Among Adolescents in Low Resource Settings: Sociocultural and Socioeconomic Barriers and Facilitators.

Lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately impacted by human papillomavirus (HPV) and would benefit from implementing the HPV vaccine. In the context of competing health priorities, utilizing scarce domestic infrastructure and human resources for HPV vaccination remains challenging for many LMICs. Given the high benefits of the HPV vaccine, the World Health Organization (WHO) is now encouraging for all countries, particularly LMICs, to introduce HPV vaccines into their routine immunization programs. Understanding the barriers and facilitators to HPV adolescent vaccine programs in LMICs may help strengthen how LMICs implement HPV vaccine programs, in turn, increasing HPV vaccine acceptance, uptake, and coverage. To identify and assess barriers and facilitators to implementing adolescent HPV vaccination programs in LMICs. This study comprised a review of literature assessing adolescent HPV vaccination in LMICs published after 2020 from a sociocultural perspective. Overall, the findings showed that LMICs should prioritize increasing HPV vaccine availability and HPV vaccine knowledge, particularly focusing on cancer prevention, as knowledge reduces misinformation and increases vaccine acceptance. Evidence suggests that factors promoting HPV vaccine uptake include fostering low vaccine hesitancy, integrating HPV vaccination as a primary school routine vaccination, and vaccinating both genders. A one-dose HPV vaccine may enable many LMICs to increase vaccine acceptance, uptake, and coverage while controlling financial, infrastructure, and human resource costs. As HPV is one of the leading causes of death in many LMICs, implementing the HPV vaccine may be highly beneficial. Cohesive national HPV vaccine buy-in and understanding the success and challenges of prior LMIC HPV vaccine implementation is crucial to developing effective, efficient, and sustainable HPV vaccination programs.

Factors Associated with HPV Genital Warts: A Self-Reported Cross-Sectional Study among Students and Staff of a Northern University in Nigeria.

The menace of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections among low- and middle-income countries with no access to a free HPV vaccine is a public health concern. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Nigeria, while the most known types of HPV genotypes being transmitted are the high-risk HPV-16 and 18 genotypes. In this study, we explored the predictors of self-reported HPV infections and HPV genital warts infection among a population of students, non-academic staff, and academic staff of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) University located in Lapai, Nigeria. We also assessed their knowledge about HPV infections and genotypes, and sexual behaviors. An online cross-sectional study was conducted by setting up a structured questionnaire on Google Forms and it was distributed to the university community via Facebook and other social media platforms of the university. The form captured questions on HPV infection, and knowledge about HPV infection and genotypes, as well as the sexual health of the participants. All variables were described using frequencies and percentage distribution; chi-squared test statistics were used to explore the association between HPV infection (medical records of HPV infection) and the participants' profile, and a logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors associated with HPV genital warts infection among the population. This study reveals those participants between the ages of 26-40 years (81.3%) and those currently not in a sexually active relationship-single/divorced (26.4%)-who have self-reported having the HPV-16 and -18 genotypes. Moreover, participants between 26-40 years of age (OR: 0.45, 95%CI: 0.22-0.89) reported themselves to be carriers of HPV genital warts. Therefore, this study reveals the factors associated with HPV infection and genital warts peculiar to IBB university students and staff. Hence, we suggest the need for HPV awareness programs and free HPV vaccine availability at IBB university.

Perceptions, Attitudes, and Barriers to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Residents in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection globally, with significant associations with various cancers. Despite the availability of HPV vaccines, vaccination uptake remains suboptimal in many regions, including Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional survey-based study aimed to assess perceptions, attitudes, and barriers related to HPV vaccination among residents in different regions of Saudi Arabia. Participants were recruited using a stratified sampling method, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered electronically. A total of 600 participants were included in the study, with diverse demographic profiles observed. The largest age group was 26-35 years old, comprising 42.7% (n = 256) of the sample. The distribution of gender was approximately equal, with 54.7% (n = 328) male participants. Notable perception and knowledge about HPV were observed, with 49.7% (n = 298) reporting being very familiar. Furthermore, 85.8% (n = 515) believed that HPV could cause serious health problems, and 63.7% (n = 382) perceived the vaccine to be very effective. Positive attitudes toward HPV vaccination were prevalent, with a significant proportion expressing a willingness to recommend the vaccine to themselves (70.0%, n = 420) and their children (65.0%, n = 390). Healthcare provider recommendation emerged as a key influencing factor, with 73.8% (n = 443) citing it as influential. Despite favorable attitudes, barriers to HPV vaccination were reported, including vaccine cost (22.5%, n = 135) and lack of awareness (13.7%, n = 82). However, a substantial proportion of unvaccinated participants cited not applicable reasons (57.2%, n = 343), indicating prior vaccination. Factors associated with HPV vaccination uptake included higher education levels, with those holding a master's degree or above exhibiting higher odds of vaccination uptake (OR (odds ratio): 1.80, 95% CI (confidence interval): 1.35-2.40, p < 0.001). Age (26-35 vs. 18-25) also showed a borderline significant association (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 0.98-1.60, p = 0.074). The study highlights the importance of understanding perceptions and barriers to HPV vaccination to inform public health policies and programs in Saudi Arabia. Addressing identified barriers, such as educational campaigns and improving access to vaccination services, is essential for enhancing HPV vaccination coverage and reducing the burden of HPV-related diseases in the region.

Cervical Cancer Stages, Human Papillomavirus Integration, and Malignant Genetic Mutations: Integrative Analysis of Datasets from Four Different Cohorts

Cervical cancer represents a significant global health concern, stemming from persistent infections with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). The understanding of cervical cancer’s clinical correlates, risk factors, molecular mechanisms, stages, and associated genetic mutations is important for early detection and improved treatment strategies. Through integrated analysis of clinical and molecular datasets, this study aims to identify key factors that are overlapping and distinct across four cohorts of different races and regions. Here, datasets from four distinct cohorts of patients from Uganda (N = 212), the United States of America (USA) (N = 228), China (N = 106), and Venezuela (N = 858) were examined to comprehensively explore the relationships between cervical cancer stages, HPV types (clades), productive HPV integration, and malignant genetic mutations. Cohort-specific findings included the occurrence frequencies of cervical cancer stages and grades. The majority of patients from the USA and China were diagnosed with stages I and II, while those from Uganda were diagnosed with stages II and III, reflecting levels of awareness and the availability of HPV vaccines and screening services. Conversely, cervical cancer and its stages were positively correlated with HPV types (clades), HPV integration, and risk-factor habits across the cohorts. Our findings indicate that the more common squamous cervical cancer can be potentially due to productive HPV16 (clade 9) integration. At the molecular level, pathways related to HPV infection, cancer-related conditions, and viral carcinogenesis were among the most significant pathways associated with mutated genes in cervical cancer (across cohorts). These findings collectively corroborate the prominent role of HPV infection and integration leading to genetic mutation and hence to the development of cervical cancer and its stages across patients of distinct races and regions.

Dutch dental hygiene students' knowledge of HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and HPV vaccination.

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer is rising, thus the understanding of HPV infection and vaccination among oral healthcare professionals is becoming increasingly important. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge of Dutch dental hygiene students on HPV infection and vaccination and assessed various aspects of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer. This descriptive cross-sectional study invited the entire Dutch dental hygiene student population registered in September 2016 to complete an online questionnaire concerning the knowledge of HPV infection and vaccination, including the aspects of HPV-related Oro-Pharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OPSCC). Data were analysed using t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests and Chi-square tests. Invited were all 1248 Dutch dental hygiene students and 232 (18.6%) students completed the questionnaire. More than 95% of the students indicated HPV infection as a risk factor for OPSCC and 48.7% was aware of the availability of HPV vaccination. Additionally, students considered it important to discuss HPV as a risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer with their patients. In general, the students scored highest on the questions about risk factors for OPSCC and poorest on the questions about general HPV knowledge and HPV vaccination. Although the mean overall knowledge score was significantly higher in senior compared with junior students, knowledge scores of senior students remained insufficient. This study identified deficits in knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccination among Dutch dental hygiene students. Future research should focus on improving the content of dental hygiene curricula and development of ongoing educational tools for dental hygienists.

Acceptability of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine by the Population of Two Health Districts in Yaounde-Cameroon

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections with high oncogenic risk are responsible for 7.7% of cancers (mainly cervical cancer) in developing countries. Vaccination is considered to be one of the greatest public health successes, but despite its proven effectiveness, vaccination does not longer enjoy popular support, which leads to a coverage in terms of HPV vaccine almost non-existent. A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the health districts of Nkolndongo and Djoungolo, with the aim of analyzing the acceptability of Human Papillomavirus vaccine in these health districts. From a structured questionnaire administered to 330 parents and 32 Community health Workers (CHWs), we found an insufficient 33.6% moderate level of HPV vaccine acceptability, a statistical significant association between parents’ marital status and HPV vaccine acceptability (OR = 0.369; P value = 0.027; 95%; CI = [0.153, 0.890]), a statistically significant association between knowing someone with cervical cancer and accepting her child to get vaccinated against HPV (OR =0.409; P-value = 0.006; 95%; CI= [0.217; 0.769]), a statistically significant association between accepting HPV vaccine and agreeing to have her child vaccinated against HPV at 51.6%, and a statistically significant association between knowing that HPV vaccine was available in health facilities and its acceptability (OR=0.210; P-value = 0.021; 95%; CI = [0.056; 0.793]). To expand HPV vaccination coverage, various activities should be carried out among the population to improve their knowledge about cervical cancer and the availability of HPV vaccine. The focus should be on unmarried parents and parents engaged in a free union relationship. Health workers should use true life stories about cervical cancer as a means of raising awareness and the list of health facilities administrating HPV vaccine should be made known to the population.

MEDAN DENTIST’S KNOWLEDGE LEVEL ABOUT ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA ASSOCIATED HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS

Introduction: Oral Squamous Cell carcinomas (OSCC) are still common, and one of the causes is the human papillomavirus (HPV). OSCC-associated HPV is often detected at an advanced stage due to the low knowledge of dentists about early detection. A good level of knowledge among dentists will help reduce the incidence of OSCC- associated HPV cases. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge of general dentists in Medan City regarding the role of HPV in OSCC, clinical aspects, prognosis, preventive measures for OSCC- associated HPV, and the availability of HPV vaccines in Indonesia. Method: This research is a descriptive study with a cross-sectional approach; the number of respondents is 99 general dentists in Medan City. The data was collected using an online questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out descriptively and calculated in terms of frequency and percentage through SPSS. Result: The results showed that among the 99 respondents, the level of knowledge about the role of HPV in OSCC was good (98%). The level of knowledge regarding the clinical aspects of OSCC-associated HPV is good (64.6%). The level of knowledge regarding the prognosis of OSCC-associated HPV is adequate (70.7%). The level of knowledge regarding OSCC- associated HPV preventive action is good (79.8%). The level of knowledge regarding the availability of the HPV vaccine in Indonesia is good (67.7%). Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, the level of knowledge of general dentists in Medan City about Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) related to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is good (66.7%).

The Need for Increased HPV Vaccination Awareness and Access

Human papillomavirus (HPV) in the genital region is a frequently occurring sexually transmitted disease that can result in genital warts and various types of cancer. Most sexually active individuals acquire HPV at a certain point during their lifetime, but fortunately, several of the most harmful HPV types are preventable with vaccinations. All boys and girls aged 9 to 12 should get the HPV vaccine, although it can be given to individuals up to age 45. The HPV vaccine triggers an immune response that helps the body recognize and fight off the virus. There are currently two different HPV vaccines available: Gardasil and Cervarix. Gardasil guards against the two HPV strains that most commonly result in cervical cancer (CC) and various additional strains that can result in genital warts or other types of cancer. Cervarix only offers protection against the two forms of HPV that trigger CC. Mild side effects may occur, but more severe side effects are rare. Despite the availability of HPV vaccination, vaccination rates remain suboptimal in many countries. Raising awareness and expanding access to HPV vaccination are critical steps toward reducing HPV-related diseases. This article explores the basics of HPV and the role of vaccination in preventing its spread.

Assessment of Acceptability and Determinants of Uptake and Schedule Completion of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine by 25 to 45 Years Old Women in Slovenia.

HPV immunization programs are mainly focused on girls and boys, but adult women and men could also benefit from vaccination. A multinational CoheaHr-WP4 study investigated the acceptability of HPV vaccination among 25-45 years old women. A total of 607 women from Slovenia participated in the study, and 49.6% (301/607) agreed with HPV vaccination, with a significant difference (p < 0.0001) between the two centers. Non-vaccinated women had a higher education (p = 0.0068) and were more frequently in a committed relationship or married (p = 0.01). The most trusted source of medical and vaccination information was healthcare providers (55.2%). The main reasons for vaccine acceptance were protection against HPV-related disease (93.4%), severity of preventable diseases (82.7%), HPV vaccine safety (66.8%), free HPV vaccine availability (62.8%), and the existence of vaccination recommendations (55.5%). The main reasons for refusing vaccination were the need for additional vaccine-related information (31.4%) and vaccine safety concerns (29.4%). To increase vaccine coverage, information about the benefits and safety of HPV vaccination must be widely disseminated to all health professionals and the general public. We are convinced that the knowledge obtained in this study can be reliably applied to other countries in the region that lack such information and have a very high cervical cancer burden.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning breast cancer, cervical cancer and screening among healthcare professionals and students in Mogadishu, Somalia: a cross-sectional study.

Somali women face exceptionally high mortality and incidence rates from both breast cancer (BC) and cervical cancer (CC). They experience the highest age-standardised BC mortality rate in Africa and an age-standardised BC incidence rate of 41.7 per 100,000 women. Somalia's second-highest cancer-related mortality and incidence rates are due to CC, both behind BC. It is critical to identify the underlying factors that may influence healthcare workers' management of both cancers. At present, there is a lack of evidence regarding providers' knowledge of these two cancers and their screening in Somalia. A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered with a purposive sampling strategy to 469 healthcare professionals and students and was completed by 405 (86%). Healthcare workers were recruited from Mogadishu-based hospitals. One hundred and ninety-seven healthcare professionals and 207 students completed the survey and were included in the analysis. 89% and 73% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of BC and CC, respectively. Only 46% knew that a vaccine could prevent CC, and 89% of healthcare professionals disagreed that human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines were available to their patients. Attitudes towards cancer screening, in addition to breast self-examination (BSE), were overwhelmingly positive. For both BC and CC, 24% reported having treated a patient and 30% reported having conducted a screen for either disease. Overall, while knowledge of both diseases and screening was good, there remain areas for clear educational targeting such as HPV vaccine availability and BC preventability. Attitudes to screening for both diseases were exceedingly positive but, with the exception of BSE, failed to translate into practice due to inadequate resources and patient refusal. Future investments into Somalia's chronic care management should prioritise technology necessary to conduct screenings for both diseases, expanding HPV vaccine access and understanding patients' potential motivations for refusing screening.

Attitude towards HPV Vaccination and the Intention to Get Vaccinated among Female University Students in Health Schools in Jordan.

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. The availability of prophylactic vaccines for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection represents an important advancement in the prevention of cervical cancer. In Jordan, the availability of the HPV vaccination is restricted to individuals who are willing to pay. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the willingness and attitude of female university students in health schools/faculties in Jordan to get HPV vaccination and their knowledge about the virus. A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed in October 2021, which comprised 27 items to evaluate HPV knowledge, history of HPV vaccination, intentions to get the HPV vaccine, and the reason(s) behind vaccine refusal for those who rejected vaccination. The study sample comprised 836 participants: medical students (39.7%), pharmacy students (26.0%), dental students (21.2%), and nursing students (13.2%). Only 524 participants had heard of HPV prior to the study (62.7%), of which 48.7% knew about the availability of HPV vaccines. The lowest level of HPV knowledge was observed among nursing students. Only 19/524 students reported a history of HPV vaccination (3.6%). The overall willingness to receive HPV vaccination if provided freely was 75.0%, while only 16.0% were willing to pay for the vaccine. The most common reason for HPV vaccine rejection was the perceived low risk to get HPV infection. Significantly higher intentions to get HPV vaccination were found among older participants and medical students. The embrace of vaccine conspiracy beliefs was associated with a significantly less willingness to get the HPV vaccination (p < 0.001). Dependence on the internet/social media as the source of HPV knowledge was associated with a significantly lower intention to get HPV vaccination (p = 0.002). The coverage of the HPV vaccination among female university students in health schools in Jordan appeared extremely low; however, three-fourths of the students who had heard of HPV were willing to receive the HPV vaccination if provided freely. Complacency appeared as a major factor for HPV vaccine rejection. Increasing the levels of knowledge and awareness of HPV infection and its association with cervical cancer through reliable sources is recommended. This can be helpful for the individual benefit of the students besides the potentially positive role they can play in community education. Countering vaccine conspiracy beliefs with proper education and awareness programs can be helpful to appraise the role of HPV vaccines in cancer prevention.

A retrospective analysis and quality improvement education initiative to increase HPV vaccination rates in an inner city primary care clinic.

213 Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly spread sexually transmitted infection and is implicated in the oncogenesis of several cancers, including cervical, anal,vaginal and oropharyngeal cancers. HPV vaccinations have a high efficacy, and recent data demonstrated adults aged 18-26 years old are not adequately fully vaccinated. Our objective was to assess the current practice regarding HPV vaccination among persons 9-45 years of age, knowledge about the HPV guidelines, and recommendation practice. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of Internal Medicine residents acting as primary care physicians at an urban clinic based in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. The survey was administered to internal medicine residents and attending physicians to assess the current practice regarding the HPV vaccination for adults and knowledge of the updated guidelines. The key drivers identified were resident knowledge, communication, insurance coverage, and availability of HPV vaccination in the clinic. An educational handout and lecture was provided with a follow-up survey. Results: A total of 347 charts were reviewed. Of those eligible to receive the HPV vaccine, it was found that only 5.2% received the total dosage. The response rate to our initial survey was 60%. 47.83% did not inquire about the HPV vaccination or recommended it to patients compared to 71.43% of attending physicians (AP) who inquired, but only 28.47% discussed it during precepting sessions. 27.7% of the residents and 71.43% AP correctly identified the updated guidelines. The biggest three barriers were unfamiliarity with the availability of HPV vaccination, insurance coverage, and current guidelines. A short educational review and summary were provided to close the gaps identified with the questionnaire.100% of residents correctly identified the updated guidelines, risks, benefits, importance of shared decision-making, and more likely recommend the HPV vaccination. However, 69.2% were unaware that HPV vaccination does not prevent the progression of HPV-related cancers. Conclusions: Adherence to CDC guidelines regarding vaccinating against HPV amongst resident physicians is poor. The percentage of patients, who received the complete Gardasil-9 vaccination series, was significantly below the national average. Our study highlights a large practice gap that exists amongst resident physicians regarding the HPV vaccine. There was minimal documentation amongst resident physicians regarding shared decision-making conversations with patients. We addressed the knowledge and resource deficit with an educational handout and information session. Our intervention demonstrated improved confidence in discussing the vaccine with the patients and resolved the concern of insurance coverage and availability of vaccines in the clinic and pharmacy.

Lack of knowledge regarding HPV and its relation to oropharyngeal cancer among medical students.

BackgroundOropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is an important cause of cancer‐related mortality. Early detection of OPC results in a favorable prognosis and higher survival rates. Infection by high‐risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is a risk factor for OPC with an upward trend globally. Medical students' knowledge and awareness of HPV‐related OPC can be crucial in the preventive efforts.AimTo assess HPV knowledge among medical students at the University of Jordan, with particular focus on its relation to different cancers.MethodsThis paper‐based survey study was conducted in November 2019. The survey items were based on previously validated surveys used to evaluate HPV‐related OPC knowledge among dental students and professionals. To assess HPV knowledge and students' confidence in personal history taking and physical examination, we developed a knowledge and confidence scores that showed acceptable reliability.ResultsThe total number of participants was 1198 students, with a median age of 21 and female predominance (n = 697, 58.2%). Among the participants, 93.3% heard of HPV prior to this survey (n = 1118). Higher levels of knowledge regarding cervical cancer, OPC and HPV vaccination was seen among clinical students compared to their preclinical counterparts, but their overall HPV knowledge was low. Only 18.4% and 21.0% of the clinical students correctly identified the association of HPV with penile and oropharyngeal cancers, respectively. Additionally, 34.5% of the clinical students were not aware of the availability of HPV vaccines. The majority of students (92.0%) reported that the university courses were their major source of knowledge about HPV.ConclusionA profound lack of knowledge regarding HPV role in OPC was found among medical students. This insufficiency included several aspects of the virus and its associated diseases. Such gaps in knowledge could have negative consequences in early detection and prevention of OPC and should be addressed by evaluation of the current curriculum.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus genotypes in high-grade cervical precancer and invasive cervical cancer from cancer registries before and after vaccine introduction in the United States.

US population-based cancer registries can be used for surveillance of human papillomavirus (HPV) types found in HPV-associated cancers. Using this framework, HPV prevalence among high-grade cervical precancers and invasive cervical cancers were compared before and after HPV vaccine availability. Archived tissue from 2 studies of cervical precancers and invasive cervical cancers diagnosed from 1993-2005 (prevaccine) were identified from 7 central cancer registries in Florida; Hawaii; Iowa; Kentucky; Louisiana; Los Angeles County, California; and Michigan; from 2014 through 2015 (postvaccine) cases were identified from 3 registries in Iowa, Kentucky, and Louisiana. HPV testing was performed using L1 consensus polymerase chain reaction analysis. HPV-type-specific prevalence was examined grouped by hierarchical attribution to vaccine types: HPV 16, 18, HPV 31, 33, 45, 52, 58, other oncogenic HPV types, and other types/HPV negative. Generalized logit models were used to compare HPV prevalence in the prevaccine study to the postvaccine study by patient age, adjusting for sampling factors. A total of 676 precancers (328 prevaccine and 348 postvaccine) and 1140 invasive cervical cancers (777 prevaccine and 363 postvaccine) were typed. No differences were observed in HPV-type prevalence by patient age between the 2 studies among precancers or invasive cancers. The lack of reduction in vaccine-type prevalence between the 2 studies is likely explained by the low number of cases and low HPV vaccination coverage among women in the postvaccine study. Monitoring HPV-type prevalence through population-based strategies will continue to be important in evaluating the impact of the HPV vaccine.

Knowledge, Awareness and Attitude of Medical Students Regarding HPV Infection and HPV Vaccination

Background: Cervical cancer is the second commonest cancer among women in India and accounts for 6-29% of cancers among women in India. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a causative agent of the disease. Recent advances in technology have led to introduction of vaccine to prevent HPV infection. The current study aims to assess the awareness among medical students about HPV infection as a causative factor for cervical cancer and their knowledge about HPV vaccination. Assessing the knowledge of vaccination among medical students helps us to understand the level of awareness regarding the same among future doctors.Methods: A questionnaire based study was done on 150 MBBS students from 2nd and 3rd year of Vydehi Medical College, Bangalore,Karnataka, India. Questionnaire consisted of 16 questions of multiple choice type and results were analysed using percentages and chi square test. P value &lt;0.05 was considered significant. Results: Knowledge regarding HPV as a causative agent for cervical cancer was found in 67 (95.7%) of male students and 79 (98.8%) of female students with no statistically significant difference. Awareness about availability of HPV vaccine was seen in 66 (82.5%) females as compared to 50 (71.4%) males with a p value of 0.078, which was not statistically significant. Complete vaccination status was seen in 3 (4.3%) male students and 11 (13.8%) female students with a p value of 0.041 and this association was statistically significant. 1 (1.42%) male student and 1 (1.25%) female student received incomplete vaccination. 25 (35.7%) males and 74 (92.5%) females were willing to get vaccinated with HPV vaccine with p value 0.000, and the association was statistically significant. Conclusion: There was good knowledge among medical students regarding cervical cancer and its prevention. But knowledge regarding HPV vaccine was poor among both males and females. Willingness to get vaccinated in male students was very less compared to female students.

INVESTIGATION OF THE FREQUENCY, GENOTYPE DISTRIBUTION AND PROBABLE RISK FACTORS OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) AMONG WOMENS ATTENDING TO FAMILY HEALTH CENTER

It is important to understand the frequency of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the factors associated with HPV infections, to determine prevention, control and measures to be taken. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the HPV prevalence, genotype distribution and possible risk factors in women applying to the Family Health Center. Sexually active, clinically asymptomatic fifty women aged 30-65 who applied to Safranbolu Family Health Center between October 2018 and March 2019 were included in the study. In order to compare HPV-DNA positivity and socio-demographic characteristics, the education status, number of pregnancies, age of first sexual intercourse, presence of chronic disease, pap smear test and HPV vaccine status, etc. information was recorded and cervical swab samples were taken for detection of HPV-DNA. Viral DNA was isolated with the QIAamp® Viral DNA Kit (QIAGEN, Germany) according to the manufacturer's protocol. The presence of HPV-DNA was investigated using the MY09 / MY11 primers by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, positive samples were amplified using type-specific primers by PCR method and HPV typing was performed. HPV-DNA positivity was detected as 6% (3/50) in the study. Two samples were typed as HPV16; and one samples was typed as HPV31. It was observed that all HPV DNA positive samples were high risk oncogenic HPV types. When the probable risk factors are examined; It was observed that the first sexual intercourse age of patients was 16-21 years, and the number of pregnancies was ≥3 among the HPV-DNA positive women. A statistically significant relation was found with HPV-DNA positivity between the age of first sexual intercourse and the number of pregnancies (p &lt;0.05). HPV-DNA positivity was not observed in any woman protected by a condom, which is considered to be the safest in terms of to protect sexualy transmission infections. It was observed that any women participating in the study knew the availability of HPV vaccine and did not get the HPV vaccine. It is necessary to perform studies showing the prevalence of HPV and common genotypes in a region at certain time intervals; it is thought that the results will guide cervical cancer prevention and vaccination.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV): unawareness of the causal role of HPV infection in cervical cancer, HPV vaccine availability, and HPV vaccine uptake among female schoolteachers in a Middle Eastern country

BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract. This cross-sectional study among female schoolteachers assessed the prevalence of i) unawareness of HPV infection’s causal role in cervical cancer; ii) unawareness of HPV vaccine availability and iii) examined the sociodemographic variables associated both the outcome variables. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among female schoolteachers employed in public and private sectors schools in Kuwait using a structured questionnaire for data collection. Prevalence of each of the outcome variables was computed. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate independent predictors of two dependent variables. ResultsA total 1341 female schoolteachers were enrolled. Of the participants, 60% were unaware of HPV causal role in cervical cancer and 88% were unaware of HPV vaccine availability. Among those who were aware of HPV vaccine availability, 83.8% were unvaccinated. Multivariable logistic regression (MLR) model showed that 20–29 years old participants or those with low family income (< 500 KD/month) were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely to be unaware of HPV causal role in cervical cancer. Moreover, participants with family/ personal history of cervical cancer were significantly (p < 0.05) less likely to be unaware of HPV role in causation of cervical cancer. A separate MLR model revealed that the participants were significantly more likely to be unaware of HPV vaccine availability if they were Kuwaiti nationals or non-Kuwaiti Arabs (p < 0.05), employed in public schools (p = 0.003) or less likely to be unaware if they had personal or family history of cervical cancer (p < 0.001). ConclusionHigh prevalences of unawareness of causal role of HPV in cervical cancer and unawareness of HPV vaccine availability were recorded. Targeted education among identified sociodemographic groups with high levels of unawareness is warranted. If undertaken, future studies may evaluate the impact of recommended efforts.

Knowledge on Cervical Cancer Prevention and HPV Vaccination Among Female Students in Tertiary Education Centers in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka

Background: Carcinoma of cervix is common yet preventable. Sri Lankan young population is at risk. This study was conducted among the students attached to three non-conventional higher education institutions with ref­erence to assessing the awareness, screening methods, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) as causative factor and attitude towards HPV vaccination.Methods: A validated questionnaire was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 software.Results: 120 females participated, age ranging 19 to 25 years. Seventy (57.5%) participants were aware of the cervical cancer. Seventy percent of them were also aware HPV as causative factor. About half of the participants (50.8%) were not aware of availability of cervical screening. Among those aware of the screening, about half re­ported the availability of both Pap smear and HPV testing. Totally about 87% were aware of the Pap smear. Sixty nine students [57.5%] were ‘not sure’ of the availability of HPV vaccine and 58 of them stated ‘unsure of vaccine received’. About 16% did not want to receive the vaccine. One third mentioned that the HPV Vaccine is available in Sri Lanka.Conclusions: The awareness noted under 60% of the participants indicates the need for structured awareness programs to young population. Majority of participants were confused about the availability and whether they had received of HPV vaccine.