Knowledge differences between male and female university students about human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer: Implications for health strategies and vaccination

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Rui Medeitos (Author) ICBAS; Diana Ramada (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Vaccine

Vol. 29 No. 2

Pages: 153-160

ISSN: 0264-410X

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 31 Citations

Scopus - 38 Citations

Pubmed / Medline

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Health sciences

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Basic medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-022

DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.10.068

Resumo (PT): Knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer (CC) depends on several factors such as gender and education, which brings implications for health strategies and vaccination. A survey was conducted in Portugal with a representative sample of 1706 university students. Only 55.4% (n=945) had already heard of HPV, although 88.3% (n=834) from that know that is a risk factor for CC. 89% students (n=841) wants to be vaccinated against it, but only 13.8% stated as main reason to be vaccinated "prevention of the disease". Mean scores of knowledge were calculated. Statistical differences were found, regarding "CC knowledge", in gender (p<0.001) and between health sciences schools and non-health sciences schools (p<0.001). Differences regarding the study area in "knowledge and beliefs of HPV" (p<0.001) and in "relation between HPV and CC" (p<0.001) were found. Therefore, these differences may help to develop effective strategies that lead to decline CC incidence and mortality.

Abstract (EN): Knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer (CC) depends on several factors such as gender and education, which brings implications for health strategies and vaccination. A survey was conducted in Portugal with a representative sample of 1706 university students. Only 55.4% (n = 945) had already heard of HPV, although 88.3% (n = 834) from that know that is a risk factor for CC. 89% students (n = 841) wants to be vaccinated against it, but only 13.8% stated as main reason to be vaccinated "prevention of the disease". Mean scores of knowledge were calculated. Statistical differences were found, regarding "CC knowledge", in gender (p < 0.001) and between health sciences schools and non-health sciences schools (p < 0.001). Differences regarding the study area in "knowledge and beliefs of HPV" (p < 0.001) and in "relation between HPV and CC" (p < 0.001) were found. Therefore, these differences may help to develop effective strategies that lead to decline CC incidence and mortality.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8