Introduction: education about sexually transmitted diseases can be an effective primary prevention strategy against HPV infection and cervical cancer. Objective: to analyse risk behaviours and levels of knowledge about human papillomavirus among seventh-grade students. Methods: the study used a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational, non-experimental, descriptive design to examine the relationship between risk behaviours and knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV). Results: Male participants reported less knowledge and experience of HPV. Second, knowledge level was an important predictor of risk, with participants answering less than half of the HPV knowledge questions correctly. Conclusions: the results provide a potential knowledge base for future research on sexually vulnerable populations and represent a significant contribution to the nursing profession: despite knowledge of HPV and awareness of condom use as a preventive measure, university students continue to engage in risky sexual behaviour.