[Status of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Knowledge,Attitudes, and Influencing Factors towards Human Papillomavirus and Its Vaccines among University Students in Western China]

Abstract

Objective To investigate the knowledge about human papillomavirus(HPV)and its vaccines,HPV vaccination status,and vaccination willingness among the freshmen majoring in liberal arts,sciences,and medicine in western China,so as to provide evidence-based suggestions for health education among university students and to increase their vaccination. Methods By convenience sampling,stratified sampling,and cluster sampling,an online questionnaire survey was conducted among freshmen in a comprehensive university in Chengdu.The differences among the groups were compared by χ² test,and non-conditional logistic regression was performed to analyze the influencing factors of willingness to vaccination. Results A total of 881 participants were included in this study,including 419 males and 462 females.The vaccination rate of females was 3.5%(16/462).Of all the university students,59.1%,67.5%,and 56.3% had heard of HPV,HPV-related diseases,and HPV vaccines,respectively,and only 10.4%,10.6%,and 27.8% knew "HPV infection usually does not cause symptoms","HPV infection is usually transient and mostly spontaneous regressive",and "HPV infection is very common".Females and medical students had more related knowledge than males and non-medical students(P=0.035,P=0.021).Of all the university students,65.7% were willing to be vaccinated against HPV.The high cost of vaccination(50.8%),worry about the side effects adverse reaction(46.3%),and lack of sexual life(43.4%)were the main reasons for the reluctance to be vaccinated.Gender,education background of parents,history of self-financed vaccination,attitude towards premarital sexual behavior,history of sexual behavior,and knowledge of HPV were the influencing factors of vaccination willingness. Conclusions The freshmen had a low rate of HPV vaccination and limited detailed knowledge about HPV and its vaccines.Health education campaign is urgently called for among university students regarding HPV infection as well as the safety,effectiveness,and side effects of HPV vaccines.More attention should be paid to the health education of male and non-medical students.

Keywords: human papillomavirus; human papillomavirus vaccine; influencing factors; knowledge and attitudes; university students.