Evaluation of the knowledge level and atti̇tudes of Aydın Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty students about human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and HPV vaccine

In this study, the knowledge levels of Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine students regarding Human Papillomavirus (HPV), HPV testing, and HPV vaccination were examined in relation to their demographic characteristics and health behaviors. Data were collected from a total of 947 students and analyzed using a cross-sectional survey method. While 96% of participants stated that they were aware of HPV, their knowledge about the test and vaccine was found to be at a lower level. The HPV vaccination rate was 26.9%, with 73.1% of students not yet vaccinated. The most frequently stated reason for not receiving the vaccine was "lack of sufficient knowledge" (10.5%). According to the analysis based on the HPV Knowledge Scale, knowledge levels were found to be significantly associated with variables such as age, academic year, economic status, and certain health behaviors. In particular, students in higher academic years, those with better economic status, and individuals who considered getting vaccinated had significantly higher knowledge scores. Gender, living arrangements, and parental education levels showed significant differences in some subscales. In contrast, the presence of chronic illness, regular medication use, and a family history of cancer did not significantly affect general knowledge levels. The study's findings revealed that while general awareness of HPV is high among university students, gaps in knowledge remain regarding HPV testing and vaccination. The exclusion of HPV vaccination from Turkey's national immunization program and the limited scope of informative campaigns have been identified as key factors contributing to the lack of awareness. In this context, educational programs aimed at increasing knowledge levels among the general population should be planned, particularly targeting young adults and health sciences students.