Polish Medical Students' Knowledge Regarding Human Papillomavirus's Ways of Transmission, Risk of Cancer Development and Vaccination, and Their Intention to Recommend Vaccination

Medical students' knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV), HPV vaccine and head and neck cancer

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that significantly affects the population worldwide. HPV preventive methods include vaccination, prophylactics, and education. Different types of cancers associated with HPV usually take years or decades to develop after infections, such as Head and Neck Cancer(HNC). Therefore, HPV prevention can be considered cancer prevention. A sample of medical students in Puerto Rico was evaluated to assess their knowledge about HPV, HPV vaccine, and HNC through two previously validated online questionnaires composed of 38 dichotomized questions, we measured HPV, HPV vaccination(HPVK), and HNC knowledge (HNCK). Out of 104 students surveyed, the mean HPVK score obtained was 20.07/26, SD = 3.86, while the mean score for HNCK was 6.37/12, SD = 1.78. Bidirectional stepwise regression showed study year and HPV Vaccine name had been the most influential variables on HPVK and HNCK. MS1 participants scored lower than MS2-MS4 participants, with no significant difference between MS2-MS4 scores. The results reveal knowledge gaps in HPV/HPV Vaccine and HNC among surveyed medical students. Our findings also suggest an association between knowledge of personal vaccination status, self-perceived risk, and how uncertainty in these factors may affect the medical students' understanding of HPV, HPV vaccination, and associated cancers.

Knowledge regarding human papillomavirus and cervical cancer prevention among medical students from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women in Thailand. General practitioners, within their primary healthcare role, play a vital role in the cervical cancer screening program, as they are the healthcare professionals most easily accessible to the general population. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge of cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, HPV vaccination, and cervical cancer screening among last-year medical students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among sixth-year medical students using an electronic self-administered questionnaire. The two-part questionnaire comprised demographic data and 12 true/false questions that assessed knowledge regarding HPV infection, HPV vaccination, and cervical cancer screening recommendations. Pilot testing revealed a high Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability coefficient.

RESULTS

A 67% response rate was achieved. Among the 198 respondents, only one (0.5%) student correctly answered over 80% of the questions while most respondents (172, 71.7%) correctly answered less than 60% of the questions. Less than half of the respondents correctly identified crucial aspects such as the primary cause of cervical cancer, recommended vaccination age, cytology sensitivity compared to HPV testing, and the recommended screening frequency for average-risk women.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights a significant lack of comprehension among Thai medical students concerning HPV infection, vaccination, and cervical cancer screening guidelines. Encouraging educational enhancement, effective communication, and heightened awareness of these crucial topics within the medical school curriculum are imperative.

Knowledge of HPV and HPV Vaccination among Polish Students from Medical and Non-Medical Universities

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause both benign and malignant lesions. HPV vaccines, preferably administered before the onset of sexual activity, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in preventing HPV-related cancers. The impact of a healthcare provider's recommendation on HPV vaccine acceptance is substantial. Therefore, medical students must undergo thorough training in this domain. This study compares fundamental understanding and viewpoints regarding HPV and anti-HPV vaccines among Polish students pursuing medical and non-medical sciences. This study was based on the authors' questionnaire, and the results were statistically analyzed. The participants in this study were 1025 students (medical sciences students-520 respondents in total; and non-medical sciences students-505 respondents in total). According to the results, medical students' knowledge about the consequences of HPV infection and vaccination against HPV was significantly greater. To date, numerous publications have investigated the understanding of particular social, gender, parental, etc., groups about vaccination, but the knowledge of students at different universities-medical and other-has not been compared. Social awareness is still insufficient, even in groups of medical students. There is much to be done to educate and encourage preventive behavior in those not receiving primary prevention in early childhood.

Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous warts (2022)

AIM

Cutaneous warts caused by human papillomavirus are benign proliferative lesions that occur at any ages in human lives. Updated, comprehensive and systematic evidence-based guidelines to guide clinical practice are urgently needed.

METHODS

We collaborated with multidisciplinary experts to formulate this guideline based on evidences of already published literature, focusing on 13 clinical questions elected by a panel of experts. We adopted Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to form classification of recommendations as well as the improved Delphi method to retain respective recommendations with a consensus degree of over 80%.

RESULTS

Our guideline covered aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous warts such as diagnostic gold standard, transmission routes, laboratory tests, treatment principle, clinical cure criterion, definitions, and treatments of common warts, flat warts, plantar warts, condyloma acuminatum, and epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Recommendations about special population such as children and pregnant women are also listed. In total, 49 recommendations have been obtained.

CONCLUSIONS

It is a comprehensive and systematic evidence-based guideline and we hope this guideline could systematically and effectively guide the clinical practice of cutaneous warts and improve the overall levels of medical services.