Awareness and Attitude toward Cervical Cancer and HPV Vaccination among Female Medical Students

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide, with persistnt infection by high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) being the primary cause. Despite the availability of the HPV vaccine, there remains a gap in knowledge and vaccine uptake, particularly among medical students who will eventually educate others on preventive health measures. This study aims to assess the awareness and attitudes toward cervical cancer and HPV vaccination among female medical students.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at [Name of University/Institution] involving 100 female medical students. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, which assessed demographic characteristics, knowledge of HPV causes, cervical cancer risk factors, vaccine effectiveness, and attitudes toward vaccination. Barriers to vaccination were also identified, and statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests, were applied to determine associations between awareness, attitudes, and demographic factors.

Results: The study found that 60% of students had high awareness of HPV causes, 50% understood cervical cancer risk factors, and only 30% were knowledgeable about the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine. While 70% of participants expressed willingness to receive the vaccine and 80% perceived it as safe, 40% expressed concerns about potential side effects. The primary barriers to vaccination were lack of information (55%), cost (40%), and cultural beliefs (30%).

Conclusions: The findings highlight a significant gap in knowledge regarding the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, despite relatively high awareness of HPV and cervical cancer. Although attitudes toward vaccination were generally positive, concerns about side effects and structural barriers such as cost remain significant challenges. These results align with previous studies and suggest the need for targeted educational interventions and strategies to address these barriers, particularly in medical training, to enhance HPV vaccination uptake.