Knowledge, attitudes, and perception towards human papillomavirus among university students in Pakistan

Abstract

This cross-sectional study comprises a questionnaire-based survey regarding knowledge about human papillomavirus and its vaccine among students in different educational fields at public and private universities in the city of Lahore in Pakistan. A 26-item questionnaire was used to attain the objective of this study. The reliability of this tool was assessed using Cronbach's alpha (0.79) and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value was 0.827. The response rate to the survey was 78.0%, of whom the majority (74.9%) were females and 308 (79%) were single (median age=23 years). While assessing the respondents' knowledge about HPV, 223(57%) students reported that they had already heard of HPV (human papillomavirus) and nearly 215 (55%) reported that HPV causes cervical cancer and can infect both men and women. Gender and field of study were two main factors found influencing the respondents' knowledge about HPV. Moreover, students' understanding about the mode of transmission of HPV was cursory: 40.51% said they did not know how HPV is transmitted, 133 (34.10%) stated that HPV spreads through the exchange of bodily fluids, and 22 (5.64%) selected cough/sneezing. In terms of prevention, 175 (44.87%) students stated that HPV can be prevented by vaccination, 30.0% reported sexual abstinence, 21.54% using condoms, and nearly 5.38% disclosed use of antibiotics. Addressing the knowledge of students regarding HPV vaccine, nearly 53% stated there is no vaccine against HPV and almost 64% rejected the statement that HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancer. In addition, students reported that they will be more than willing to get vaccinated for HPV if their physician recommend them (RII=0.74) followed by parents (RII=0.69). The results of this study revealed a poor understanding among respondents about the health problems associated with HPV, its prevention, modes of transmission and arability of HPV vaccine in Pakistan.

Knowledge, Perception, and Prevention Practices Related to Human Papillomavirus-based Cervical Cancer and Its Socioeconomic Correlates Among Women in Karachi, Pakistan

“…This can be attributed to the lack of outreach by the government and media in order to raise awareness about cervical cancer. National screening and vaccination programs in developed countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom have reduced cervical cancer burden up to 90% [12,20]. However, in developing countries such as Pakistan, there is a dearth of such resources and taboos associated with this disease.…”

“…However, in developing countries such as Pakistan, there is a dearth of such resources and taboos associated with this disease. Owing to this, women are unable to undertake proper measures towards screening and prevention of this deadly disease, contributing to the huge mortality rates associated with cervical cancer [12,21]. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of the general population about cervical cancer epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, symptoms, and their attitudes and practices related to screening and prevention.…”

“…The questionnaire was formulated based on objectives of the study after going through the relevant data available on the topic [4,9,[12][13][14]. The questionnaire was pretested on 30 females before the survey to validate and modify the questions accordingly.…”

“…Likewise, the introduction of the HPV vaccine is limited by many factors such as its high cost [11]. Owing to these barriers, less than half of the participants of a study conducted among university students of Lahore, Pakistan knew about the prophylactic HPV vaccine [12]. Comparably, the awareness level among females in the most populated province of Pakistan was found to be low (29.9%) and surprisingly, only 37% of health professionals recognized Pap smear as a screening test [13][14].…”

Knowledge and attitude on human papilloma virus among adolescent girls in school students at Puducherry

“…The development of HPV vaccine has shown an advancement of fight against cervical cancers. [17][18][19]…”