Awareness and Knowledge about Human Papilloma Virus Infection among Students at Secondary Occupational Health School in China

Xin Wang, Taifeng Du, Xiaoling Shi and Kusheng Wu
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Xin Wang: Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
Taifeng Du: Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
Xiaoling Shi: Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
Kusheng Wu: Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-11

Abstract: Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. CC is mainly caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), which can be prevented by vaccination. We conducted a cross-sectional study in secondary occupational health school (SOHS) through a questionnaire aimed to assess the awareness and knowledge regarding HPV infection of students. A total of 2248 students participated in the survey, 45.3% of them had heard about CC, while only 21.9% of them had heard about HPV; and 74.2% had no idea of the causal link between HPV infection and CC. Most participants displayed poor awareness and knowledge about HPV infection. The results suggested that age, grade, major, academic performance, etc. were correlated with higher awareness of CC, HPV and HPV infection ( p < 0.05). In multivariable logistic analysis, third-grade students had the most increased awareness of CC (OR = 17.13, 95%CI: [8.11, 36.15]), HPV (OR = 6.59, 95%CI: [4.16, 10.43]) and HPV vaccine (OR = 2.78, 95%CI: [1.78, 4.32]) when compared to first-grade. Awareness and knowledge regarding HPV infection were insufficient among students in SOHS. As the future healthcare providers, these results highlight the need to supplement targeted education to improve their awareness and knowledge of HPV and vaccination.

Keywords: cervical cancer (CC); human papilloma virus (HPV) infection; secondary occupational health school (SOHS); cross-sectional study; awareness and knowledge (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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