Assessment of HPV Vaccine Knowledge Levels Among Medical Faculty Students: A Comprehensive Examination in the Turkish Context

Abstract

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to measure medical students' knowledge, attitudes, and future professional intentions regarding HPV and its vaccines. This study aims to identify the factors that impact these variables within Turkey's distinctive sociocultural and healthcare landscapes. The insights derived from data analysis can be employed to guide focused educational interventions, aiming to enhance HPV vaccination rates and mitigate HPV-related health outcomes in Turkey. Material and Methods: Carried out between November and December 2022, this study employed a descriptive and comparative research design to evaluate HPV-related knowledge, attitudes, and intentions among 687 medical students enrolled in the Medical Faculty of Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University. A comprehensive 20-question survey was administered, covering demographic details, HPV awareness, and attitudes towards vaccination, followed by statistical analysis. Results: The study population exhibited a mean age of 20.6 years and was predominantly female (60.1%). Overall, 91.6% of the participants were aware of HPV, primarily through their medical education (52.1%) and social media (42.3%). However, only 3.5% of the patients were vaccinated against HPV. Factors influencing vaccine uptake included having close contacts diagnosed with HPV or cervical cancer (p=0.001), gender (p=0.01 for females, p=0.02 for males), and prior HPV awareness (p=0.03). Significant misconceptions existed, notably regarding HPV's association with specific cancers and the vaccine's inclusion in the regular schedule. Conclusions: According to our study, medical students' attitudes and knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccination are critically important for future healthcare providers and policymakers. HPV-related cancers beyond cervical cancer are poorly understood, and vaccine counselling training is inadequate. Students who had been in close contact with HPV or cervical cancer exhibited a significantly higher likelihood of receiving the vaccine. It is crucial to formulate focused educational strategies that enhance HPV vaccine adherence and provide future medical professionals with the skills to educate patients effectively.