Evaluating Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors toward HPV Infection and Vaccination among University Students in Italy

Human papillomavirus vaccination status among university students in Southern Thailand: A cross-sectional study

Objective

Human papillomavirus (HPV) commonly causes transmissible diseases worldwide; however, HPV vaccines are not available among some at-risk populations. Since 2017, HPV vaccination has been recommended for females aged 11-12 years in Thailand. However, studies on the coverage and HPV vaccination prevalence are limited. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and factors associated with HPV vaccination among Thai university students.

Methods

Data for this cross-sectional study were randomly collected using paper-based questionnaires from university students aged 18-26 years during October 17-27, 2023.

Results

Of 1,093 participants, 57.6 % were female, and 53.5 % were from non-urban areas. The median age was 20 years. One-third of the participants were from low-income families. The overall HPV vaccine coverage rates were 7.51 % and 0.87 % in female and male students, respectively. Female sex, being from a high-income family, studying in health science faculties, originating from an urban area, having one or both parents completing university educations, and having healthcare providers as family members increased the odds of receiving the HPV vaccine. The accuracy of HPV vaccine literacy among participants who reported that they "know about the HPV vaccine" was adequate, except for the fact that HPV vaccine was sex-neutral.

Conclusions

The HPV vaccine coverage rate among Thai university students was low owing to several factors. HPV and HPV vaccine education should be provided to populations that can still benefit from receiving the HPV vaccine.

[Knowledge about human papillomaviruses among students in Germany-a cross-sectional study with a need for action]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common viruses transmitted through intimate contact, causing many benign and malignant diseases. Vaccination protects against these diseases. Despite the HPV vaccination being recommended by the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO), knowledge and vaccination rates in Germany are very low. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the HPV knowledge among German students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 06/2019 and 01/2024, a nationwide online survey on HPV knowledge among students in Germany was distributed via the respective student councils. The survey included two aspects: 1) basic characteristics of the participants and 2) knowledge questions about HPV (e.g., transmission routes, effectiveness, and side effects of vaccination, knowledge about the HPV subtypes). Data collection was anonymous.

RESULTS

A total of 459 students took part in the study. Of these, 335 (72.98%) were female, 122 (26.57%) were male, and 2 (0.45%) did not specify their gender. The average age of the students was 24.02 years, and most of the participants were in their 6th (23.31%/107) semester. In all, 75.82% (348) of the participants were medical students followed by law students with 19.61% (90) participants. The most represented study location was Aachen, with 270 (58.82%) participants. Only about half (48.80%/223) of the students knew that approximately 8000 new cancer cases in Germany are HPV-associated annually. Regarding the HPV vaccination, more than a third (35.82%/163) of participants did not know that it also protects against genital warts, while 21.93% (100) did not know that boys can also benefit from the HPV vaccination and that it does not only improve HPV protection of girls against cervical cancer.

CONCLUSION

Despite several years of HPV vaccination recommendation by the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO), knowledge about HPV among college students still remains very low. Further prevention and educational efforts are needed to address HPV knowledge gaps, with the additional goal of improving HPV vaccination rates.

Understanding the Reasons for Receiving HPV Vaccination among Eligible Adults in Italy

BACKGROUND

This cross-sectional survey aimed to explore the reasons for receiving the HPV vaccination among eligible adults in Italy.

METHODS

The survey was conducted from July 2023 to April 2024 in Naples, Southern Italy.

RESULTS

A total of 282 questionnaires were collected. The majority of the respondents (73.2%) was aware that HPV vaccination was recommended and this was more likely among women, healthcare workers (HCWs) or students in health sciences, and those who had acquired information from physicians. The most frequently cited reasons for vaccinating were self-protection from the infection (77.6%) and from cervical/oral/penile/anal cancer (68.9%), knowing that the vaccination was free of charge (46.2%), awareness of the severity of the HPV disease (43%), to protect their partner (42.6%), and perception of being at risk (24.2%). Being HCWs or students in health sciences, believing that HPV infection could cause a serious disease, and having a higher number of oral intercourse experiences in the last year were significant predictors of the perception of being at risk. Female and Italian respondents were more likely to receive the HPV vaccination because it was effective in preventing cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeted educational programs and health interventions should be developed to ensure enhancing knowledge and fostering positive attitudes toward the HPV vaccination.

Genital and Oral HPV Geno-Prevalence Measured through Urine and Saliva Samples in Young Adults in Italy

BACKGROUND

The aims of the study were to determine, in the urine and oral samples of young adults, the genotype-specific prevalence of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection, the HPV DNA type-specific prevalence in unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals, and the determinants of HPV infection.

METHODS

Selected participants were asked to fill in a self-administered questionnaire and to self-collect urine and saliva samples.

RESULTS

Among the 1002 participants, 81 (8.1%) resulted positive for HPV DNA. The most common low-risk genotype was HPV 42 (2.2%), followed by HPV 43 (0.8%), and 40 (0.5%). The HPV 51 was the most common high-risk genotype (1.5%) followed by HPV 66 (1%) and HPV 68 (1%), and no participants were infected with HPV genotypes 18, 33, 45. Females, those who have had one or more occasional sexual partner, those who never/rarely/sometimes used condoms during their sexual activity, those with a previous diagnosis of sexually transmitted infection, and those who were not vaccinated were more likely to be tested positive for HPV infection.

CONCLUSIONS

The low prevalence of genital HPV infections has provided evidence of the effectiveness of HPV vaccination both in vaccinated and not yet vaccinated subjects through herd immunity and indicated its decisive role in the changing epidemiology of circulating HPV genotypes in the population.

Vaccine hesitancy among nursing and midwifery undergraduate students in Switzerland: protocol for an online national study

Background

Vaccine hesitancy is a persistent challenge in public health, exacerbated by the proliferation of anti-vaccine sentiments facilitated by social networks. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of addressing vaccine hesitancy, designated by the WHO as a top global health threat. This study explores vaccine hesitancy among nursing and midwifery undergraduate students in Switzerland-a cohort crucial to public health given their future roles as healthcare professionals-with a particular emphasis on the HPV vaccine, which exhibits lower confidence levels compared to other vaccines.

Methods

This study will employ an online questionnaire distributed to nursing and midwifery undergraduate students from various healthcare universities. The questionnaire will collect data on vaccine hesitancy (general confidence in vaccines and specifically in the HPV vaccine), HPV vaccine coverage, socio-demographics, likelihood to recommend vaccines to patients, perception of vaccination education and interest in complementary medicine.

Conclusion

The study's findings will contribute to our understanding of vaccine hesitancy among nursing and midwifery undergraduate students, providing insights that can inform targeted interventions and education strategies to bolster vaccine confidence among future healthcare professionals, thereby enhancing public health efforts.