Human Papilloma Virus Infection and Vaccination: Pre-Post Intervention Analysis on Knowledge, Attitudes and Willingness to Vaccinate Among Preadolescents Attending Secondary Schools of Palermo, Sicily

Claudio Costantino, Emanuele Amodio, Francesco Vitale, Cecilia Trucchi, Carmelo Massimo Maida, Stefania Enza Bono, Francesca Caracci, Claudia Emilia Sannasardo, Francesco Scarpitta, Carlotta Vella, Gianmarco Ventura, Giancarlo Icardi, Alessandra Casuccio and Vincenzo Restivo
Additional contact information
Claudio Costantino: Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Emanuele Amodio: Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Francesco Vitale: Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Cecilia Trucchi: A.Li.Sa. Liguria Health Authority, 16100 Genoa, Italy
Carmelo Massimo Maida: Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Stefania Enza Bono: Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Francesca Caracci: Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Claudia Emilia Sannasardo: Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Francesco Scarpitta: Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Carlotta Vella: Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Gianmarco Ventura: Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Giancarlo Icardi: IRCCS San Martino Hospital, 16100 Genoa, Italy
Alessandra Casuccio: Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Vincenzo Restivo: Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-11

Abstract: In recent years, vaccination coverage rates against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in Europe have shown a decreasing trend and remain below the required standard. The present study aims to assess knowledge and attitudes regarding HPV infection and vaccination among a representative sample of preadolescents of Palermo, Italy. A survey was carried out throughout two questionnaires, before and after carrying out an educational intervention scheduled during school hours. A total of 1702 students attending first-grade secondary schools of the province of Palermo were enrolled (response rate 68.9%). Students attending third classes (adj OR = 1.18; CI 95% 1.03–1.36), being of higher socioeconomic status (adj OR = 1.35; CI 95% 1.05–1.73), who had previously received information about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) at home (adj OR = 1.62; CI 95% 1.27–2.07) or at school (adj OR = 2.15; CI 95% 1.70–2.71) and who had ever heard in the past about HPV (adj OR = 1.80; CI 95% 1.42–2.29) showed a significantly higher baseline level of knowledge regarding HPV. Willingness to receive HPV vaccination, in a 10-point Likert scale, significantly increased between the pre- (8.51; SD ± 1.79) and post- (9.01 SD ± 1.52) intervention questionnaires ( p < 0.001). A total of 188 out of 272 (69.1%) preadolescents attending five out eighteen schools involved in the project, who had not previously received the HPV vaccine, were vaccinated. During past years, education campaigns on HPV were mainly dedicated to adult women, excluding teenagers and omitting young males. It should therefore be of primary importance that school-based education and vaccination programmes be standardized.

Keywords: HPV infection; HPV vaccine; knowledge; attitude; willingness; preadolescent students; vaccination; school-based intervention; sexually transmitted diseases (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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