Knowledge about HPV vaccination among Croatian university students

Background

Studies have shown the low uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among university students. Knowledge about the HPV virus and the vaccine can be a factor that may sway an individual’s decision to receive the vaccine. This study aimed to investigate HPV vaccine uptake and knowledge about HPV vaccination among Croatian university students.

Methods

This cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted from February to May 2021 period. A validated, anonymous questionnaire that contained questions regarding demographic data, data about HPV vaccine uptake, and data regarding knowledge about the HPV virus and the vaccination was self-administered to a cross-faculty representative student sample of the University of Osijek in Eastern Croatia.

Results

The study sample included 840 subjects with, median age of 20 years (interquartile range 20-21), 45.8% males, and 54.2% females. The prevalence of vaccination uptake in the studied population was 20.8%. The study revealed that there were 25.6% of students with a low level of knowledge and 74.4% of students with satisfactory levels of knowledge about the HPV virus and the vaccination. The excellent knowledge about the HPV virus and the vaccination was more frequently shown by students who studied in biomedicine and health area of science (p < 0.001) and students with an excellent average grade of study (p < 0.001). HPV vaccination uptake was higher among females (p < 0.001), students who studied within biomedicine and health area of science (p < 0.001), students with an excellent average grade of study (p < 0.001), and students who showed excellent knowledge about the HPV virus and the vaccination (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The majority of Croatian university students had a satisfactory level of knowledge about the HPV virus and the vaccination but the vaccination uptake is still very modest. Additional efforts are needed to organize more appropriate education and promotion of vaccine uptake in the studied population.

Key messages

• The HPV vaccination uptake among Croatian university students is very modest although the majority of students have a satisfactory level of knowledge about the HPV virus and the vaccination.

• Continuous examination of HPV knowledge gaps and identification of factors influencing vaccine uptake is key to increasing vaccination rates in the Croatian university student population.

Health literacy as a predictor of road traffic injury prevention

Background

Road traffic injuries impose a substantial health burden among children. Health literacy is one of the most important determinants of non-communicable disease prevention. Parent health literacy is connected with their knowledge and behaviors regarding children road traffic injuries (CRTI) prevention. The aim of this study was to explore health literacy, knowledge and behaviors of mothers' in Croatia regarding CRTI prevention.

Methods

This population based cross-sectional questionnaire study was done during 2019 in convenient sample of mothers of school aged children. Sociodemographic data and data about knowledge and behaviors of mothers regarding CRTI prevention were collected by the use of specially designed questionnaire. Croatian version of the Newest Vital Sign screening test (NVS-HR) was used for heath literacy determination.

Results

There were 814 mothers' median age 36.0 (interquartile range 32.0. - 39.0). According to NVS-HR there were 17.7%, 26.5% and 55.8% of mothers with low, intermediate and adequate health literacy level, respectively. The higher levels of health literacy were connected with younger age of mothers (37 years old or less) (P = 0.027); urban area of settlement (P < 0.001); living with a partner (P = 0.018); higher educational level of mothers (P < 0.001) and with better self-perceived economic status (P = 0.009). The study revealed poor positive correlation between mothers' health literacy and their knowledge regarding CRTI prevention (rho=0.170; P < 0.001). The study further showed that there was no correlation between mothers' health literacy and their behavior regarding CRTI prevention (rho=0.072; P = 0.041). Finally, the study revealed poor positive correlation between mothers' knowledge and behavior regarding CRTI prevention (rho=0.193; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The level of health literacy affects mothers' knowledge about CRTI prevention. Further studies are needed to better understand the underlying reasons for established association.

Key messages

Low parent health literacy is one of the predictors of poor parent knowledge about children road traffic injuries prevention. It is necessary to identify and to address low parent health literacy in preventive strategies directed towards children road traffic injury prevention.