The Relationship between knowledge, Attitude and Acceptance of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination for Cervical Cancer Prevention among Students at Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the causative agent of cervical cancer. Vaccination against HPV is an effective strategy against cervical cancer. This study aimed to assess the acceptance of HPV vaccination for cervical cancer prevention and its relationship with knowledge and attitude about HPV vaccination among students.

This cross-sectional study was carried out on 360 female students at Bushehr University of Medical Sciences in 2018. Students were recruited using proportional stratified random sampling method. Data was gathered using a questionnaire about knowledge, attitude and effective factors of HPV vaccine acceptance. Descriptive analysis, chi-square, independent sample t-test, and logistic regression were used to analyze the data in SPSS-16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).  The significance level was set at P < 0.05.

56.4% of students had poor knowledge while 54.1% were willing to accept HPV vaccination as well as 43% who had positive attitude towards HPV vaccination. Paramedical students were 96% more likely to accept the HPV vaccination compared to health sciences faculty students (OR= 1.96; 95% CI= 1.04-3.68; p=0.036).  Also, for each unit increase in the HPV knowledge score, students were 15% more likely to accept the vaccine (OR= 1.15; 95% CI= 1.07-1.24; p <0.001). Moreover, for each unit increase in attitude score, students were 16% more likely willing to accept HPV vaccine (OR= 1.16; 95% CI=1.08 -1.28; p =0.002).

It is necessary to implement on HPV vaccination for students. Inclusion of HPV vaccine in the National Program on Immunization would also be an effective strategy for improving HPV vaccination.