Knowledge and awareness about human papillomavirus infection and its vaccination among women in Arab communities

Assessment of knowledge and awareness of stroke among the Syrian population: unveiling the current landscape in Syria through the first nationally representative study

Stroke is a global public health concern, contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality. In Syria, the current conflict and associated challenges have had a profound impact on healthcare infrastructure, including education and awareness programs related to stroke. An essential aspect of preventing stroke is the awareness of individuals. The study aimed to investigate factors associated with knowledge and awareness of stroke among Syrian people. A cross-sectional national representative study was conducted in Syria. The questionnaire was created on Google form and disseminated as a link through online platform social media like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter. The population of the study was divided using proportionate random sampling into the 14 governorates. A random sample was selected from each area. The STROBE reporting guideline for cross-sectional studies was followed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with poor knowledge of stroke. A total of 1013 Syrian adults participated in the study. With more than half of them were females (53.5%) and employed (55.6%). Significant associations were found between ability to identify at least one correct risk factor and employability status (p = 0.029), single group (p = 0.036) and smokers (p < 0.001). In addition, significant associations were found between identifying at least one correct stroke symptom and smokers (p < 0.001) and no-obese people (p = 0.048). Furthermore, younger age group (below 30 years) were significantly able to list at least one correct stroke consequence compared to the older age groups (p = 0.025). Moreover, a significantly higher number of smokers compared to non-smokers correctly identified at least one stroke consequence (p = 0.019). The study revealed that there is a relatively weak understanding of the preventable nature of stroke among Syrian population. The overall awareness is still inadequate and varies depending on lifestyle factors and employment status.

A Systematic Review of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Factors Influencing HPV Vaccine Acceptance Among Adolescents, Parents, Teachers, and Healthcare Professionals in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection, affecting both men and women globally. Men and women are at risk of type HPV16 and HPV18 viruses leading to cervical, anal, vulvar, and oropharyngeal cancers. The HPV vaccines are highly effective in preventing various strains of HPV infection, and effective vaccines are available only in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Hence, this systematic review explored knowledge and attitudes toward HPV infection and HPV vaccination and factors influencing HPV vaccination uptake among the MENA populations. Various databases, such as Medline, Science Direct, CINHAL, EBSCO, PsycINFO, and PubMed, were systematically searched to include English studies assessing knowledge, attitudes toward HPV infection, and factors influencing HPV vaccination acceptance in the MENA region. Twenty-two papers met the inclusion criteria. The number of participants ranged from 99 to 7223. While knowledge, attitude, and vaccine hesitancy association factors were generally reported in cross-sectional studies, the HPV vaccine acceptancy over time from longitudinal studies was mixed and inconclusive due to inadequate information on HPV infection and vaccination, the cost of the vaccine, cultural beliefs, and safety concerns. Results demonstrated that low HPV vaccine acceptance is due to a lack of HPV understanding among the MENA population, coupled with access issues. Factors such as awareness, confidence in vaccination, and involvement in decision-making positively influence vaccine uptake. Therefore, tailored programs addressing vaccine hesitancy in the MENA communities are necessary.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Uptake of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination among Chinese Female Adults: A National Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey Based on a Large E-commerce Platform

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a promising step toward cervical cancer elimination. This study was conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and HPV vaccine uptake among female adults in mainland China based on a large e-commerce platform.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of female adults between March 4 to April 20, 2022. The survey consisted of sociodemographic information, related knowledge, vaccination uptake, and attitudes toward vaccination. We included women aged 18-45 years in the final analysis. Logistic regressions were conducted to explore influencing factors associated with related knowledge, HPV vaccination uptake, and willingness to be vaccinated.

RESULTS

In total, 3,572 female adults (34 years, IQR 30-39) were included in the analysis. The majority of the participants were highly educated (78.7%) with a high monthly family income (79.0%). The median HPV knowledge score was 8.25 out of 11. More than 75% of respondents were unvaccinated, while 95.8% of unvaccinated female adults are willing to be vaccinated. Variables such as age, insurance, vaccination history, and whether one had heard of the HPV vaccine influence HPV vaccination practice (all p-values < 0.05). The main barriers to vaccination were vaccine inaccessibility and the high cost of the vaccine.

CONCLUSION

The findings of our study highlight a moderate knowledge level, poor vaccination rate, and strong willingness to be vaccinated among Chinese female adults who were better educated and wealthier. Targeted health education and practical support should be provided in the future, to reduce gaps between vaccine uptake and vaccine acceptance.

Assessment of knowledge and perceptions of human papillomavirus vaccine and its determinants among women who have eligible daughters in Debre Berhan City, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Introduction

Globally, cervical cancer(CC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the leading cause of CC. Persistent infection with HPV accounts for 90% of all CC cases. The human papillomavirus vaccine has the great potential to prevent HPV-related infections for millions of women and men. The current study aimed to assess knowledge and perceptions towards the HPV vaccine and its determinants among women who have eligible daughters in Debre Berhan City, Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2, 2023, to May 15, 2023. A multistage sampling procedure was used to recruit 607 women participants. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize socio-demographic data. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed to measure the associations between the dependent and independent variables. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

More than three-fourths of the participants, 479 individuals (80%) were currently married, and 243(40.1%) had a diploma or higher education level. Of 456(75.12) participants reported, they had information about cervical cancer. For 449(73.9%) of the participants, television was the main evidence. The majority of 352(59.99%) participants knew the HPV vaccine could be offered to a female child aged 9-14 years old. Only 215(35.4%) participants think the HPV vaccine was safe and effective. Women who had a degree and above educational level were about 9 times more likely to have good knowledge about the HPV vaccine than study participants who did not read and write (AOR=9.21; 95% CI=2.82-12.16; p=0.004). Women who did not have information about the HPV vaccine before this study were about 80% less likely to have a positive perception of the HPV vaccine than participants who had earlier information about the HPV vaccine (AOR=0.8; 95%CI=0.63-0.49; P=003).

Conclusion

Women had poor knowledge and perceptions about the HPV vaccine. Maternal marital status, age, and having information about the HPV vaccine were the only predictors of women's knowledge of the HPV vaccine.

Forecasting Head and Neck Cancer Trends in GCC Countries: Implications for Public Health Policy and Strategy

Purpose

The data available on the incidence and mortality rates of head and neck cancer types (HNCs) in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) have relied on global trends and covered only certain cancer sites, types or certain age groups. This study aimed to assess the incidence and mortality rates of head and neck cancer (HNCs) within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, providing insights into their geographic variability in 2020.

Methods

Prediction of the magnitude of the disease to 2040 was explored based on demographic projections. Estimates of incidence and mortality and the population projections were extracted from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) database and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs respectively for the time frame 2020 to 2040. Additionally, we analyzed the distribution of cases and deaths by age and sex for both time periods.

Results

The analysis indicates varying patterns in HNC rates across GCC countries in 2020, with Oman and Saudi Arabia carrying the highest burden. Projections for 2040 reveal a substantial increase in new HNC cases and related deaths, particularly in Qatar, UAE, and Bahrain. Furthermore, incidence rates are predicted to rise significantly for individuals aged 50 and older, while remaining relatively stable for those under 50. With regards to sex, males generally exhibit higher rates, except in Qatar.

Conclusion

HNC burden is anticipated to rise significantly in the GCC, with variations per age, sex and geographical location. By 2040, a 2-3-fold increase in HNCs in the GCC is anticipated, emphasizing the need for focused public health strategies to address this rising health challenge.

Knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors and human papilloma virus vaccine among Saudi women of childbearing age: A community-based cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia

Objective

To examine the knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine among Saudi women of childbearing age.

Methods

An anonymous, survey-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to March 2023.

Results

Overall, 422 participants were included in the current study. Most participants were within the age group of 15-25 years old (42.9%), single (47.9%), and educated with a bachelor's degree (70%). Out of a total of 14 points, the average knowledge score for all participants was 7.3 ± 2.31 (range: 2-14). More than three-quarters of the surveyed participants correctly identified the following risk factors for cervical cancer: multiple sexual partners (78.2%), having weakened immunity (82.7%), infection with HPV (82.9%), and positive family history of cervical cancer (88.9%). Concerning HPV vaccine, 153 (36.3%) participants heard about HPV vaccine and only 20 (4.4%) of them were vaccinated. Only 128 (30.3%) participants stated correctly that 9-13 years old is the best age to start HPV vaccine, whereas 51 (12.1%) participants correctly stated the number of HPV vaccine doses to be three over six months. Overall, 167 (39.6%) participants declined to receive the HPV vaccine. The three most frequently reported reasons included not hearing about HPV vaccine (35.3%), fear from HPV-related side effects (30.5%), and apprehension from HPV vaccine injection (16.2%). Among several socio-demographic characteristics, occupation was statistically significantly associated with knowledge score (p < 0.001), with students in health specialties tended to have the highest knowledge score compared with others.

Conclusion

Most participants displayed good knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors, but not about HPV vaccine. Very alarmingly, less than 5% of the participants received HPV vaccine and close to 40% of them declined to receive the HPV vaccine. Mechanisms to increase public awareness about HPV vaccine and its acceptance by women are recommended.

Lessons Learned from the Pandemic in the UAE: Children COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Its Impact on the Choice of Distance versus Face-to-Face Learning Modalities: An In-Depth Analysis of a National Study

This study addresses the crucial aspect of childhood COVID-19 vaccination and its impact on parental decisions concerning learning modalities during the pandemic. This study aimed to gauge parental hesitancy towards vaccinating their children and its influence on choosing between distance and face-to-face learning options. Following STROBE guidelines for cross-sectional studies, this study surveyed 1973 parents in the United Arab Emirates using Google Forms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results revealed that while more than half of the parents (51.6%) were willing to vaccinate their children if the COVID-19 vaccine was accessible and affordable, a significant majority (91.2%) expressed concerns about the rapid vaccine development process, which was the primary reason for vaccine rejection. Interestingly, a sizable portion (55.3%) had experienced online learning in the previous academic term, and, of those, 59.6% believed it negatively influenced their children's academic performance. Consequently, 66.4% expressed intent to shift their children back to face-to-face learning once feasible. Significantly, parents with medical backgrounds were more inclined (91.6%) to opt for face-to-face schooling compared to those without such backgrounds. Logistic regression analysis indicated associations between sociodemographic characteristics, educational level and background, and the decision to return children to face-to-face learning. Interestingly, when it comes to vaccine hesitancy, a noteworthy connection exists between the parents' reluctance to vaccinate their children and their preference for distance learning. In fact, parents who responded negatively to vaccinating their children against COVID-19, if the vaccine was available, showed a clear preference for the distance learning modality (p-value < 0.0001). This study underscores the complex interplay of factors and community perspectives shaping parental acceptance of childhood COVID-19 vaccination. The development pace of vaccines significantly influences parents' attitudes and beliefs about vaccination programs. Parents' medical backgrounds exhibit a clear correlation with their perceptions of sending children back to school safely. This highlights the potential impact of parental medical knowledge on decision making, emphasizing the need to consider parents' professional backgrounds when devising education- and vaccination-related policies.

Awareness and Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection and Vaccine Among Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background This study evaluated the comprehension and awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccination among women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study included 696 female respondents from Jeddah between the ages of 18 and 60. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained before administering the questionnaire through social media. The data collected included social demographic information and information about HPV and vaccination. Results According to the results, only 332 respondents (47.70%) demonstrated good knowledge about HPV. Less than half (47.84%) were aware of the HPV vaccine. However, a slightly higher percentage (53.02%) would be willing to receive the vaccination if it were free. Individuals who were not willing to accept the vaccine believed it had side effects (25.70%), was unsafe (19.92%), or was unnecessary as HPV was a rare infection (17.55%). Demographic variables, such as educational level and occupation, were found to be predictors of HPV knowledge since their corresponding p-values were statistically significant. Conclusion It is crucial to raise awareness about HPV and its vaccine among adult women in Jeddah due to the alarmingly low levels of knowledge and awareness. The importance of HPV vaccination must be emphasized repeatedly to ensure that this critical information is understood and acted upon. Overall, there is low knowledge and awareness about HPV and its vaccine among adult women in Jeddah. Therefore, it is imperative to increase awareness while reiterating the importance of HPV vaccination.

Human papillomavirus vaccine knowledge and conspiracy beliefs among secondary school students in Lebanon

BACKGROUND

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is widely prevalent across the globe. In Lebanon, the society is transitioning from traditional conservatism to a more open attitude. Although previous studies have examined the knowledge of adults in Lebanon with regard to HPV and its vaccine, there is a lack of research on secondary school students. Moreover, HPV is considered a worldwide public health matter that needs to be addressed. Therefore, the objective of our study is to assess factors associated with knowledge and conspiracy beliefs towards HPV vaccine among a sample of Lebanese adolescents.

METHODS

Between December 2022 and February 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional study on Lebanese adolescents aged 15 to 18 years old. Parental approval was needed in order to participate. We used a questionnaire to collect data, which included the HPV-knowledge questionnaire (HPV-KQ) and the Vaccine Conspiracy Belief Scale (VCBS).

RESULTS

Of the 406 participants who filled the survey, 64.8% were female, with a mean age of 16.62 ± 1.01. Results showed that 31.0% of students had high knowledge about HPV, while 27.6% had high conspiracy beliefs, and 48% of participants relied on the internet to access information on HPV. Students who had previously heard of HPV, received sexual education at school or outside, and had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine demonstrated significantly higher knowledge of HPV. Additionally, students with high knowledge had a lower mean House Crowding Index, and those whose fathers had a university education had lower conspiracy beliefs. Females had a higher vaccination rate than males, while no significant difference was found between those who had engaged in sexual activity and those who had not. The multivariate analysis indicated that previous awareness of HPV and receiving sexual education outside school were significantly associated with higher knowledge.

CONCLUSION

Our study brings to light the urgent need for action to increase HPV awareness and vaccination among Lebanese secondary school students. The prevalence of vaccine misconceptions and conspiracy beliefs and the limited knowledge of HPV underscore the importance of more comprehensive sexual education in schools and the dissemination of accurate information about HPV and its vaccine. Furthermore, given the low vaccination rate among males, efforts should be made to promote HPV vaccination among this population. Addressing these issues can improve public health and help prevent the spread of HPV and its related diseases.

HPV Vaccination Prevalence among Lebanese Female University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, worldwide. Most often, cervical cancer is caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. A lack of studies concerning HPV knowledge and vaccination among the Lebanese population is noticed. We aim to assess the prevalence of HPV vaccine administration among female university students in Lebanon alongside determining the predictors influencing vaccine uptake. Lastly, knowledge scores concerning HPV and HPV vaccination are also computed.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional analytical study. It is an anonymous, online-based, close-ended questions survey conducted between the 24th of February 2021 and the 30th of March 2021. Our questionnaire was addressed to females aged between 17 and 30 years and enrolled in a Lebanese university. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v.26. We used bivariate analysis to compare the rate of vaccination with different variables. We used the chi-square test for categorical variables and Student's t-test for continuous variables. Logistic linear regression was conducted between the state of vaccination and other statistically significant variables from the bivariate analysis.

Results

We have received a total of 454 questionnaires. Among the respondents, only 18.9% had received a minimum of one dose of the HPV vaccine. The mean age of up taking the first dose of the vaccine was 17.5 years. In addition, 48% of the respondents were not willing to take the HPV vaccine during the upcoming year. Barriers to not taking the HPV vaccine were mainly the low levels of knowledge concerning HPV and its vaccine. In the multivariate analysis, three predictors were found to affect the rate of HPV vaccination: university type, paternal educational level, and HPV vaccine knowledge score. In detail, a student enrolled in a public university had 77% likelihood of not being vaccinated. Furthermore, female students with a paternal educational level higher than a university degree had 88% probability of being vaccinated. Finally, every increase in the HPV vaccination knowledge of one point increased the likelihood of being vaccinated by 37%.

Conclusion

A low vaccination rate among female university students in Lebanon was noticed in our study. In addition, a lack of HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge was found in our population. An awareness campaign alongside public vaccination programs is recommended in order to accomplish higher rates of HPV immunization.

Human papillomavirus vaccination in low- and middle-income countries: progression, barriers, and future prospective

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that, if does not go away, can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer. The national immunization schedules for individuals before sexual debut, significantly decreased HPV-associated mortality and it will be affordable. However, immunization programs remain vulnerable to macroeconomic factors such as inflation, fiscal policy, employment levels, and national income. This review aims to investigate the association between national income in lower-middle-income countries to explore recent advances and potential issues, as well as how to deal with challenges.

Willingness to get HPV vaccination among female university students in Kuwait and its relation to vaccine conspiracy beliefs

A substantial burden of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and HPV-related cancers can be mitigated by vaccination. The current study aimed to investigate the willingness of female students at the University of Kuwait to get HPV vaccination and its possible association with general vaccine conspiracy beliefs (VCBs). This cross-sectional survey study was conducted during September-November 2022 using a validated VCB scale as the survey instrument. The final sample comprised 611 respondents with a median age of 22 y and a majority of Arab ethnicity (n = 600, 98.2%). Only 360 respondents (56.9%) heard of HPV before participation and these students showed an above-average level of HPV knowledge (mean knowledge score of 12.7 ± 2.6 out of 16 as the maximum score), of whom only 33 self-reported HPV vaccine uptake (9.2%). The willingness to accept free-of-charge HPV vaccination was seen among 69.8% of the participants, with 20.1% who were hesitant and 10.1% who were resistant. The acceptance of HPV vaccination if payment is required was 23.1%. Reasons for HPV vaccine hesitancy/resistance included complacency to the HPV disease risks, lack of confidence in HPV vaccination, and inconvenience. The embrace of VCBs was associated with significantly higher odds of HPV vaccine hesitancy/resistance. The current study showed the detrimental impact of endorsing vaccine conspiracy beliefs manifested in lower intention to get HPV vaccination among female university students in Kuwait. This should be considered in vaccine promotion efforts aiming to reduce the burden of HPV cancers.

Awareness Level About Cervical Cancer, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Corresponding Vaccine Among Women Living in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

Background In this study, we aimed to evaluate the knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV) and its vaccine among women living in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Methodology Using a cross-sectional online survey, this study assesses the knowledge and awareness level of HPV and the risk factors of cervical cancer among women living in the western region of Saudi Arabia. The design of the questionnaire is based on several earlier studies in different populations. Results The total completed responses include a sample of 624 that was subjected to statistical analysis; the analysis showed that only 34.6% were aware of HPV. Participants who belonged to the 21-30 and 31-40-year-old groups had comparatively more awareness than other age groups (p<0.001). Most (83.8%) believed that it would cause cervical cancer. Less than half (45.8%) knew that there is a vaccine against HPV infection. When we assessed the willingness to receive the vaccine, it was found that 75.8% were willing to take it. Conclusions The study found that women in the western region of Saudi Arabia have limited knowledge of cervical cancer and HPV and its vaccine. There is a need to educate and promote awareness of HPV and its complications for women in the western region of Saudi Arabia.

Knowledge, attitudes and acceptance toward Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination: Perspectives of Muslim women and men

OBJECTIVES

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the leading risk factor for the development of anogenital cancers. Most Arab countries lack both HPV education and national HPV vaccination programs. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and acceptance toward HPV vaccination in men and women from Oman, a country in the Middle Eastern North Africa region.

METHODS

This cross-sectional quantitative study used convenience sampling to recruit male and female participants, aged 18 years and above from all 11 governorates of Oman to complete a validated self-administered questionnaire online in the Arabic language. The questionnaire comprised five sections, with a total of 32 questions. The questionnaire, including Arabic and English versions, was content validated and piloted.

RESULTS

A total of 1403 participants, including 952 parents and 369 healthcare providers, completed the survey. The results showed a lack of knowledge regarding HPV infection and vaccines, including among healthcare providers. Less than a quarter of the participants had heard of HPV infection, with digital sources of information being the most common. Factors such as being a woman or a healthcare provider or completing higher levels of education were independently and significantly positively association with HPV awareness (p < 0.001). The majority of the participants lacked vaccine safety knowledge, had concerns about the vaccine's side effects, and sought reassurance of its protection against HPV infection (62%, 71.5%, and 84.6%, respectively). Nevertheless, nearly two-thirds of the participants agreed to take the HPV vaccine, with support for both boys and girls being vaccinated. There was almost universal agreement among the participants regarding the need for parental and adolescent HPV educational programs.

CONCLUSION

Omani women and men showed a high level of acceptance and favorable attitude toward HPV vaccination. The study findings support future efforts to implement school and public-level HPV education and a national HPV vaccination program in Oman.

The Study on Cervical Cancer Burden in 127 Countries and Its Socioeconomic Influence Factors

OBJECTIVES

To explore the relationship between cervical cancer burden and HDI and other socioeconomic influence factors in 127 countries.

METHODS

Dividing 127 countries into low-, medium-, high-, ultrahigh-HDI groups, and using statistical method to compare the prevalence trend of cervical cancer in different HDI country groups. Then selecting mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) to measure the cancer burden as the dependent variable, HDI and other socioeconomic factors selected from 2020 Human Development Report as independent variables, and using multi-regression model to analyze the correlation between variables.

RESULTS

Countries with higher HDI were found to have lower prevalence and mortality of cervical cancer, and vice versa. Besides that, air and water pollution, government-coordinated spending, and the intimate partner of 15-49-year-old women and girls have positive correlation impact on cervical cancer burden.

DISCUSSION

The cancer prevention and control policies in countries with high HDI have achieved relatively ideal implementation effects. Countries with relatively backward social and economic development level, cancer prevention and control policies had little effect, such as lower HPV vaccination coverage, poor regional health resource allocation, and week public education awareness. Therefore, cervical cancer control plan must be integrated into national strategies and implemented in people-oriented comprehensive health services.

Assessment of Saudi Females' Knowledge Regarding Human Papillomavirus Infection, Screening, and Available Methods for Prevention: A Cross-Sectional Study in Qassim Region

Introduction Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are known to be the main culprit of cervical cancer. It is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. In recent years, it has begun to spread more widely in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health recently added HPV vaccination for women to the list of recommended vaccinations. Aim This study aimed to assess Saudi females' knowledge regarding HPV infection, screening, and the available tools for prevention in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Subject and methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among women living in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered pre-structured questionnaire was distributed among the targeted women using an online platform. The questionnaire includes socio-demographic characteristics (i.e. age, education, occupation, etc.) knowledge questionnaire and a questionnaire about the attitude toward HPV protection. The minimum required sample size was 385. This means 385 or more measurements/surveys are needed to have a confidence level of 95% that the real value is within ±5% of the measured/surveyed value. All females aged 18 years and above who are living in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia were included in our study. Males are excluded from this study. All data analyses were performed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0, Armonk, NY). Results Of the 387 women involved, 52.2% were aged between 18 and 25 years old. The prevalence of women who have heard of HPV was 49.1%. Fifty-four percent were willing to accept HPV vaccination if offered. The overall mean knowledge score was 3.56 (SD 2.51) out of 11 points. Poor knowledge levels constituted most of the women (71.1%), 24.5% had moderate knowledge and only 4.4% were considered good. Increased awareness was more prevalent in younger women, more educated, those who underwent Pap smear, and those who were willing to accept HPV vaccination. Conclusion The awareness of women toward HPV infection was deficient. Younger women who had a better education and who are willing to receive HPV vaccination were more likely to demonstrate better awareness levels toward HPV infection as compared to the rest of the women. More research is needed to establish the level of awareness among women in our region.

Awareness, Acceptance, and Associated Factors of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine among Parents of Daughters in Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Human papillomavirus infections are the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease among women worldwide. Cervical cancer is the second-most frequent disease worldwide in terms of incidence and mortality, and it is primarily responsible for fatalities in low- to middle-income nations, including Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE

To assess awareness, acceptance, and associated factors of the human papillomavirus vaccine among parents of daughters in the Hadiya zone, southern Ethiopia.

METHODS

From November to December 2021, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Hadiya zone among parents with daughters in the zone. The study respondents were chosen using a two-stage sampling technique from parents with a 9-14-year-old daughter. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. For analysis, the data were entered into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 25. Variables with a p-value less than 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were transferred to multivariable analysis. A logistic regression model was applied to forecast the association between the predictor and outcome variables. Statistical significance was considered at a 0.05 p-value.

RESULTS

The study showed that the overall acceptance of parents to vaccinate their daughters with HPV vaccination was 450 (84.9%). Parents of daughters of male sex (AOR: 0.407; 95%CI: 0.221, 0.748), who had only one daughter (AOR: 2.122; 95%CI: 1.221, 3.685), whose daughter(s) attended a government school (AOR: 0.476; 95%CI: 0.263, 0.861), who had poor knowledge (AOR: 0.532; 95%CI: 0.293, 0.969) and who had a negative attitude (AOR: 0.540; 95%CI: 0.299, 0.977) were discovered to have a strong correlation.

CONCLUSION

This study found that there was a high level of parental acceptance; attitudes and knowledge about the HPV vaccine are significant in determining their intentions to vaccinate their daughter. Authorities in high-risk areas for cervical cancer incidence should plan and implement strategies by providing health information regarding human papillomavirus vaccination with an emphasis on raising community awareness.

Acceptance, Awareness, and Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

INTRODUCTION

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus infection and can lead to different epithelial lesions and cancer. Nevertheless, HPV infection is a disease that can be prevented with vaccine. Genital warts, cancer, and HPV infections can all be prevented with this vaccine. In this study, we aimed to investigate awareness, knowledge of HPV infection, and acceptance of its vaccine among the general population in Saudi Arabia.

METHODOLOGY

An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia between September and October 2022, using a self-administered validated questionnaire. beginning with informed consent, followed by questions about demographic data. Finally, there were questions about participants' knowledge, awareness, and attitudes around HPV and its vaccine. Rustles: The results showed 645 participants and only 4% of them had received their HPV vaccination. Knowledge, awareness, and attitude levels were all 35% with mean of 1.14, 28% with mean of 3.03, and 51% with mean of 2.02, respectively. Social media was found to be the most reliable source of information about the HPV vaccine (33%), followed by health practitioners (21%). The most common reasons for refusing vaccinations are "belief we are healthy" (48%), followed by "lack of information" (38%).

CONCLUSION

Regarding HPV infection and its vaccination, Saudi Arabia significantly lacks knowledge and awareness. It is essential to provide instructions and information in schools for students, families, and healthcare providers about infection and its vaccination.

Exploring enablers and inhibitors of eHealth educational tools: The needs of women searching for HPV and cervical cancer information

Objective

This study explored the information women want to know about HPV and cervical cancer, and the enablers or inhibitors that may contribute to, or prevent, seeking online health information.

Methods

Two focus groups were conducted with women from the general public, followed by interviews with 12 physicians practicing in Saudi Arabia. The data was analyzed by using a thematic analysis approach.

Results

Researchers of this study identified six topics of information that were need-related, ten that were enabling, and six inhibiting subthemes related to online information seeking about HPV and cervical cancer.

Discussion and conclusion

In accordance with the identified themes and sub-themes, we offer recommendations to optimize the health information-seeking task related to HPV and cervical cancer through eHealth educational solutions. User- and expert-based feedback can both strengthen and inform the design, development, and implementation of eHealth interventions.

Knowledge and Awareness of Algerian Students about Cervical Cancer, HPV and HPV Vaccines: A Cross-Sectional Study

Cervical cancer is one of the most recurrent and dangerous female cancers in Algeria and worldwide. It is mainly caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV), which can induce other cancers as well. Although it can be fatal, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and manageable cancers. While HPV vaccination is the key weapon to win the battle against this pathology, it is still not approved in Algeria. Therefore, we set up a cross-sectional survey to assess the knowledge and awareness of students from Algerian universities concerning cervical cancer and HPV and to understand their attitudes towards HPV vaccination. The results reveal that, out of 715 students, the majority of students were aware of cervical cancer (84.6%). However, only 46.2% of students had heard about HPV. Furthermore, willingness to get the HPV vaccine was estimated at 26.7% among students with prior knowledge of HPV, and 21.5% of these students claimed to be willing to pay to get the HPV vaccine if available. Nevertheless, HPV vaccine hesitancy was estimated at 37.5% among the students aware of HPV. The main causes of HPV vaccine reluctance were: complacency (30.6%), refusal of vaccination in general (20.2%) and belief in the rarity of HPV-induced infections in Algeria (19.4%). Moreover, the embrace of vaccine conspiracy beliefs among students were significantly related with their HPV vaccine rejection. Overall, these findings encourage the establishment of a social education policy concerning the fight against HPV-induced cancers, particularly that of the cervix, and the implementation of a national HPV vaccination program targeting young people.

Awareness of human papillomavirus and acceptability of the vaccine among women in Palestine: is it time for policy adjustment?

Background

Progress has been made in the reduction of morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer by the implementation of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programs. This study aimed to assess the awareness of Palestinian women about HPV as well as their knowledge and acceptability of the HPV vaccine and to examine the factors associated with good awareness.

Methods

This was a national cross-sectional study. Adult women were recruited from hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces in 11 Palestinian governorates using convenience sampling. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. For each correctly answered question, one point was given. The total score was calculated and categorized into poor (0–10) and good awareness (11–21).

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 7223 women out of 8086 who were approached (response rate = 89.3%). A total of 7058 questionnaires were included in the final analysis; 4403 from the West Bank and Jerusalem (WBJ) and 2655 from the Gaza Strip. Women recruited from the Gaza Strip were younger, getting lower monthly incomes, and with fewer chronic diseases than women recruited from the WBJ.

Only 33 women (0.5%) displayed good awareness of HPV and its vaccine with 0.7% of women from WBJ and only 0.2% of women from the Gaza Strip. Completing post-secondary education, being employed or a student, and having a higher monthly income were associated with an increase in the likelihood of having good awareness.

Among women who had heard of HPV (n = 571, 8.1%), only 46 women (8.1%) reported familiarity with its vaccine. Women from the WBJ were more likely than women from the Gaza Strip to have heard about the HPV vaccine (0.9% vs. 0.2%). Most women agreed to receive the HPV vaccine themselves or for their daughters if it was given without cost or with a co-payment. No differences were found in the likelihood of agreeing to receive the HPV vaccine among women in the WBJ versus the Gaza Strip.

Conclusion

The overall awareness of HPV and its vaccine was extremely low. Inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the national immunization program could change this, especially as the HPV vaccine appeared to be acceptable.

Identification Level of Awareness and Knowledge of Emirati Men about HPV

One of the most frequent cancers that affects males globally is cervical cancer (CC) that kills hundreds or even thousands of women each year, particularly in underdeveloped nations. The study focuses on human papillomavirus (HPV) that contributes to cervical cancer (CC) development. In the majority of Arab nations, there seems to be no public education or vaccination programs. In research, methodological rigor is employed to find solutions to both theoretical and practical difficulties. This research aims to assess the knowledge and awareness of the HPV vaccination among Emirati men. Results of the research showed that Emirati males had a poor understanding of HPV and its vaccination. According to the findings of this research, Emirati males lack a basic understanding of HPV, which necessitates the implementation of national HPV education initiatives. We have identified several critical knowledge gaps that can be filled in the future regarding HPV infection and vaccination.

Knowledge and Attitude Towards Human Papillomavirus Vaccine and Associated Factors Among Mothers Who Have Eligible Daughters in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia

Purpose

This study aimed to assess knowledge and attitude towards the human papillomavirus vaccine and associated factors among mothers who have eligible daughters.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study with a total sample of 601 study participants was conducted in Debre Markos town from February to March 2021. The study participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique from mothers who have eligible daughters. The data was collected using an interview administration questionnaire. The data were entered into EPI data version 3.1 then, exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Variables with a p-value of < 0.25 in bivariate were a candidate for multivariate and those variables with a p-value of <0.05 in multivariate binary logistic regression were considered as a statistically significant factor for knowledge and attitude of the HPV vaccine.

Results

A total of 601 study participants with a response rate of 100% were included in the study. Among participants in this study, 47.6% have good knowledge and 77.4% have a positive attitude towards the HPV vaccine. Knowledge of mothers about HPV vaccine was affected by having degree and above (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =7.687; 95% CI=1.837–32.168; p=0.005), did not hear about HPV vaccine (AOR=0.172; 95% CI=0.098–0.302; P=0.000), and positive attitude towards HPV vaccine (AOR=2.959; 95% CI=1.580–5.539; P=0.001). Attitude of mothers towards HPV vaccine was affected by did not hear about HPV vaccine (AOR=0.285; 95% CI=0.163–0.499; P=000), and good knowledge about HPV vaccine (AOR=2.705; 95% CI=1.454–5.035; 0.002).

Conclusion

Knowledge of mothers who have eligible daughters about HPV vaccine was low. Maternal educational level, hearing about the HPV vaccine, and attitude towards HPV vaccine were significantly associated predictors with knowledge towards HPV vaccine. However, the attitude was high and factors associated with attitudes towards the HPV vaccine were knowledge about the HPV vaccine and hearing about the HPV vaccine. An integrated work should be considered by Debre Markos town health office with other non-governmental organizations working on health and health-related issues to improve knowledge about the importance of HPV vaccine for mothers who have eligible daughters.

Health Care System View of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine Acceptability by Emirati Men

This is the most frequent sexually transmitted illness on the planet, and both men and women are equally vulnerable. HPV is associated with a broad variety of female disorders, including 99 percent of all cervical cancer cases. Specifically, the goal and contributions of this study are to determine Emirati men's opinions about the HPV vaccination, specifically whether they would use it themselves or allow their female relatives to use the vaccine. To collect the primary data, a statistical cross-sectional survey was conducted. This quantitative study was conducted using primary sources of data. A questionnaire survey with a sample size of 390 participants was used to collect data from 400 individuals. Male university students in the United Arab Emirati men have a weak grasp of HPV and are averse to vaccination (Ortashi et al., 2013). The percentage of Emirati men who accept the HPV vaccination is 37%. A total of 40.3% of the respondents opted not to participate in the survey at all. Eighty-six percent of the women surveyed had heard of cervical cancer, and one-third believed that they were at risk in the future. Twenty-five percent of those surveyed said that the HPV vaccination was safe, while 26% said it was unsafe. Respondents were just 3.1 percent vaccinated, and their family members were only 87% not vaccinated.

Attitude towards HPV Vaccination and the Intention to Get Vaccinated among Female University Students in Health Schools in Jordan

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. The availability of prophylactic vaccines for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection represents an important advancement in the prevention of cervical cancer. In Jordan, the availability of the HPV vaccination is restricted to individuals who are willing to pay. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the willingness and attitude of female university students in health schools/faculties in Jordan to get HPV vaccination and their knowledge about the virus. A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed in October 2021, which comprised 27 items to evaluate HPV knowledge, history of HPV vaccination, intentions to get the HPV vaccine, and the reason(s) behind vaccine refusal for those who rejected vaccination. The study sample comprised 836 participants: medical students (39.7%), pharmacy students (26.0%), dental students (21.2%), and nursing students (13.2%). Only 524 participants had heard of HPV prior to the study (62.7%), of which 48.7% knew about the availability of HPV vaccines. The lowest level of HPV knowledge was observed among nursing students. Only 19/524 students reported a history of HPV vaccination (3.6%). The overall willingness to receive HPV vaccination if provided freely was 75.0%, while only 16.0% were willing to pay for the vaccine. The most common reason for HPV vaccine rejection was the perceived low risk to get HPV infection. Significantly higher intentions to get HPV vaccination were found among older participants and medical students. The embrace of vaccine conspiracy beliefs was associated with a significantly less willingness to get the HPV vaccination (p < 0.001). Dependence on the internet/social media as the source of HPV knowledge was associated with a significantly lower intention to get HPV vaccination (p = 0.002). The coverage of the HPV vaccination among female university students in health schools in Jordan appeared extremely low; however, three-fourths of the students who had heard of HPV were willing to receive the HPV vaccination if provided freely. Complacency appeared as a major factor for HPV vaccine rejection. Increasing the levels of knowledge and awareness of HPV infection and its association with cervical cancer through reliable sources is recommended. This can be helpful for the individual benefit of the students besides the potentially positive role they can play in community education. Countering vaccine conspiracy beliefs with proper education and awareness programs can be helpful to appraise the role of HPV vaccines in cancer prevention.

Predictors, barriers and motivating factors for human papillomavirus vaccination and testing as preventive measures for cervical cancer: A study of urban women in Lagos, Nigeria

•

Uptake of HPV vaccination & testing was abysmally low despite good knowledge of it.

•

Unvaccinated and untested women were more willing to accept HPV test than vaccination.

•

Knowing CC patient, being employed & unmarried predicted HPV vaccination & testing.

•

Recommendation by HCP & friend/relative were motivators for HPV vaccination & test.

•

Fear, cost & non-recommendation by HCP were barriers to HPV vaccination & testing.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and HPV based cervical screening are scientifically proven ways to prevent and eliminate cervical cancer (CC). Unfortunately, these measures are yet to be widely accepted or utilized. Our study aimed to explore the individual-related factors that predict HPV vaccination and testing, its motivating factors and barriers among urban women in Lagos, Nigeria. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 208 consenting women who attended a community health awareness program in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria, in September 2019. Structured questionnaires were interviewer administered and analysis was done using SPSS version 23. The uptake of HPV vaccination and testing was 29.0% and 3.0% respectively. Being employed [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 60.45, CI = 10.64–343.46, P < 0.001] and unmarried (AOR = 33.33, CI = 12.5–100.0, P < 0.001) predicted HPV vaccination uptake while being unmarried was the only predictor of uptake of HPV testing [crude odds ratio (COR) = 7.69, CI = 1.01–100.00, P = 0.039]. Knowing someone with CC (AOR = 21.64, CI = 4.87–96.16, P < 0.001) and being unmarried (AOR = 5.56, CI = 1.45–20.00, P = 0.012) predicted increased willingness to be vaccinated. Being unmarried (AOR = 5.26, CI = 1.89–14.29, P = 0.002) and knowing someone with CC (AOR = 6.41, CI = 2.68–15.33, P < 0.001) predicted willingness to do HPV testing. Recommendation by healthcare provider (HCP), friends/relatives and media were major motivators for HPV vaccination & testing while fear, cost, no recommendation by HCP, inaccessibility & lack of awareness were major barriers. There is need to urgently address these identified factors that affect HPV vaccination and testing in order to improve its acceptability and uptake rate in our environment.

Lack of knowledge regarding HPV and its relation to oropharyngeal cancer among medical students

Background

Oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is an important cause of cancer‐related mortality. Early detection of OPC results in a favorable prognosis and higher survival rates. Infection by high‐risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is a risk factor for OPC with an upward trend globally. Medical students' knowledge and awareness of HPV‐related OPC can be crucial in the preventive efforts.

Aim

To assess HPV knowledge among medical students at the University of Jordan, with particular focus on its relation to different cancers.

Methods

This paper‐based survey study was conducted in November 2019. The survey items were based on previously validated surveys used to evaluate HPV‐related OPC knowledge among dental students and professionals. To assess HPV knowledge and students' confidence in personal history taking and physical examination, we developed a knowledge and confidence scores that showed acceptable reliability.

Results

The total number of participants was 1198 students, with a median age of 21 and female predominance (n = 697, 58.2%). Among the participants, 93.3% heard of HPV prior to this survey (n = 1118). Higher levels of knowledge regarding cervical cancer, OPC and HPV vaccination was seen among clinical students compared to their preclinical counterparts, but their overall HPV knowledge was low. Only 18.4% and 21.0% of the clinical students correctly identified the association of HPV with penile and oropharyngeal cancers, respectively. Additionally, 34.5% of the clinical students were not aware of the availability of HPV vaccines. The majority of students (92.0%) reported that the university courses were their major source of knowledge about HPV.

Conclusion

A profound lack of knowledge regarding HPV role in OPC was found among medical students. This insufficiency included several aspects of the virus and its associated diseases. Such gaps in knowledge could have negative consequences in early detection and prevention of OPC and should be addressed by evaluation of the current curriculum.