STUDY OF AWARENESS ABOUT CERVICAL CANCER, HPV INFECTION AND HPV VACCINE AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS

  • Supriya.S. Patil, S.R Patil, Aparna.V.S, Viyusha. T. Viswanathan, P.M Durgawale

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancy among women in India. By early detection of pre-cancerous lesions & introduction of vaccine, incidence of disease can be reduced. So, it is necessary to assess the awareness among medical students regarding cancer cervix, HPV infection & HPV vaccine. Aim: To study the awareness about cervical cancer, HPV infection and HPV vaccine among medical students. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 undergraduate medical students aged between     18-25 years from III/1 to III/IV during a period of 6 months in Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad, Maharashtra, based on 25-point questionnaire regarding cancer cervix, HPV infection & HPV vaccine. Results: Among the students,95% were aware of the risk factors for the cervical cancer,38% were aware about screening tests for cervical cancer,89% students answered that cancer cervix is vaccine preventable. Medical students who were not aware about the age group for giving HPV vaccination was 59%. Awareness about male vaccination was present among 73%. None of the medical students were vaccinated. Conclusion: Even though the awareness about cervical cancer & HPV infection is good among medical students, widespread acceptance of HPV vaccine is not present due inadequate knowledge and awareness regarding HPV vaccine. There is a lack of understanding regarding the cost, availability, extent of protection against cervical cancer & safety conferred by the HPV vaccine.

Published
2020-03-11
How to Cite
P.M Durgawale, S. P. S. P. A. V. T. V. (2020). STUDY OF AWARENESS ABOUT CERVICAL CANCER, HPV INFECTION AND HPV VACCINE AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS. International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology, 29(3s), 464 - 469. Retrieved from http://sersc.org/journals/index.php/IJAST/article/view/5655