Awareness and attitude regarding human papilloma virus and its vaccine among medical students in a medical school in India

Background: Human papilloma virus is the major cause of cervical cancer in women and HPV vaccine is the most effective option. Prevention of cancer with vaccine is a new concept. Medical students should be aware of cervical cancer, HPV and its vaccine. This calls for assessment of the knowledge of HPV infection and the acceptability of HPV vaccine among medical students. The aim of this study was to assess awareness of HPV infection and HPV vaccine and to assess attitude toward these vaccines among final year medical students in Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Tirupati.Methods: It is a cross-sectional study. A total of 127 (59 males and 68 females) final year M.B.B.S. students participated. Data regarding HPV and its vaccine were collected using questionnaire based survey. The questionnaire sought student responses pertaining to the knowledge of cervical cancer, HPV and its vaccine. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Access and Excel software.Results: Most of the participants know well about the etiology and prevention of cervical cancer but information regarding the dosage, schedule, site and route of administration was lacking in majority of them. Conclusion: The medical students know the association between Human Papilloma Virus and cervical cancer, but the awareness about HPV vaccine was low among study population. Medical schools should modify their curricula to include teaching methods aimed at improving awareness regarding HPV and its vaccine.