HPV Vaccination Among Students of Health-Related Disciplines: Knowledge, Intentions, Attitudes, and Barriers

Abstract

Background: Although HPV vaccination is an effective cancer-prevention strategy, vaccination uptake among young adults remains suboptimal in many countries despite generally positive attitudes towards vaccination. The aim of this study was to assess HPV-related knowledge, vaccination uptake and intentions, awareness of the national vaccination programme, and attitudes towards vaccination among university students in health-related degree programmes. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 428 students of Public Health, Dietetics, and Physiotherapy. Results: Basic HPV knowledge was high: 94.9% correctly identified the meaning of HPV and 95.3% identified sexual transmission as the main route of transmission. However, recognition of specific HPV risk factors was heterogeneous. Overall, 32.5% of students had completed the vaccination schedule or were in the process of vaccination, while 57.5% were unvaccinated but willing to vaccinate. The initiation of HPV vaccination was significantly associated with sex (χ2(1) = 18.739, p < 0.001; OR = 2.77, 95% CI: 1.73–4.44), but not with field of study (p = 0.370). Awareness of the national free HPV vaccination programme was high (91.1%). Most respondents recognised the public-health importance of HPV vaccination and supported its promotion in schools. General support for vaccination was also high (93.1%). Conclusions: This study identified a substantial gap between HPV vaccination uptake and vaccination intention among university students taking health-related subjects. Despite high basic HPV awareness and generally favourable attitudes towards vaccination, some gaps remained in specific vaccination-related knowledge. Interventions should therefore combine targeted education with measures addressing barriers to vaccination, with the aim of translating vaccination intentions into higher vaccine uptake.