Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- . Syed Sameer Aga
- . Nusrath Yasmeen 1
- . Muhammad Anwar Khan 2
- . Alqassem Y. Hakami
- . Abdullah Awadh
- . Israa Abdullah Malli
1 Department of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, King Saud Bin Abdul Aziz University for Health Sciences, National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2 Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, King Saud Bin Abdul Aziz University for Health Sciences, National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the major risk factor for cervical
cancer (CC) in women of reproductive age. Despite advances in treatment and prevention of CC by
HPV vaccination, very few women utilize them because of a lack of awareness about HPV.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted this cross‑sectional study among Health Professions
Students (HPS) at King Saud Bin Abdul Aziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah. Data were
collected using a predesigned and validated study questionnaire to assess the knowledge, attitude,
and perception of HPS toward HPV.
RESULTS: A total of 580 HPS responded to the survey; 128 (22.1%) were male, while 452 (77.9%)
were female with the mean age ± standard deviation 20.36 ± 1.74 years. There was no significant
difference between males and females related to screening of HPV and CC (82.8%; 82.3%).
A minority (30.3%) of participants thought that HPV infection leads to CC, while 38.3% did not know
about it. Furthermore, knowledge about HPV screening and vaccination was poor.
CONCLUSIONS: Students from the college of medicine had more knowledge and awareness
about HPV (34.9%, P < 0.001). Thus, it is important to implement effective education programs,
curricular activities, and awareness campaigns for health professions to augment the learning
process effectively.
Keywords
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