DETERMINATION OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ HPV KNOWLEDGE LEVELS AND THE AFFECTING FACTORS: A SAMPLE OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

Abstract

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), infecting millions of men and women every year, is one of the most common STDs causing high mortality and morbidity rates. This study aims to determine university students’ Human Papilloma Virus knowledge levels and the affecting factors. The descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 369 students who were enrolled in the Turkish undergraduate and associate degree programs at a university in Northern Cyprus and met the research criteria. Data were collected through the Personal Information Form and the Human Papilloma Virus Knowledge Measure (HPV-KM). Of all the students 47.7% were aged 18-21 years, 50.1% were women, and only 1.1% had been vaccinated against HPV. The total mean score obtained from the HPV-KM was found 19.11±42. Factors affecting the HPV-KM scores were found as age (p=0.000), income level (p=0.000), place of living (p=0.000), family structure (p=0.000), program enrolled (0.000), parents’ education level (p=0.000), parents’ working (p=0.000), smoking (p=0.000), using alcohol (p=0.000), being sexually active (p=0.000), and knowing about sexually transmitted diseases (p=0.000). Students have an above-average HPV knowledge level and several socio-demographic factors affect the HPV knowledge level. HPV vaccination rates are quite low.