Improving HPV vaccine knowledge and acceptance through educational intervention: a quasi-experimental study of healthcare students in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major cause of cervical, anogenital, and oropharyngeal cancers worldwide. Despite the availability of a highly effective vaccine, HPV vaccine uptake remains notably low in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention in improving HPV vaccine knowledge and reducing hesitancy among healthcare students in Saudi Arabia. A quasi-experimental one-group pre-test/post-test design was conducted at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from May 2023 to March 2024. A total of 355 healthcare students completed a validated questionnaire before a structured one-hour educational session addressing HPV infection, associated cancers, and vaccination, and 324 post-session questionnaires were returned. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Following the intervention, correct responses to knowledge items increased from 12–22% pre-intervention to 45–80% post-intervention (all p  < 0.0001), while vaccine hesitancy declined from 63.7 to 28.7% ( p  < 0.0001). Male gender was independently associated with higher hesitancy, whereas prior awareness of the vaccine was associated with lower hesitancy. Lack of information, the leading reason for hesitancy pre-intervention, declined markedly post-intervention. These findings highlight the effectiveness of targeted educational programs in improving HPV vaccine awareness and acceptance among healthcare students in Saudi Arabia, supporting their integration into healthcare curricula.