Abstract :
Background: Prevention of cervical cancer with vaccination is a novel concept and awareness and education regarding it among medical students of today will significantly impact the cervical cancer burden of the society in future.Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the awareness and attitude towards HPV vaccine among medical students.Materials and Methods: The research was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional descriptive study undertaken at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at AIMSR, Hyderabad among 284 medical students of college. A questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was developed to assess fundamental awareness of cervical cancer, HPV, and the cervical cancer vaccine. It was given to students as a google form. Results were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0Results: Maximum participants were in the age group of 20-22 years 209 (76%). Female participants were 200 (72.7%) and male participants were 75 (27.3%). 231 (84%) participants were aware of cervical cancer prevention, 246 (89.4%) were aware of causative agent of cervical cancer, 66 (24%) were aware of HPV vaccination among males, 111 (40.3%) were aware regarding the dose and 207 (75.2%) were aware about protection provided by HPV vaccine. A statistically significant difference was found between the male and female students regarding their awareness about target population and vaccine availability. (P value: 0.001). In present study, 61% participants agreed that they would definitely consider taking HPV vaccine. The main barrier was inadequate information (43.6%) and main source of information was through medical school teaching (73.4%). 52.3% agreed that they were interested in knowing more about the vaccine.Conclusion: Awareness regarding cervical cancer and its prevention by vaccination is moderate among medical students. Female students are more aware about the availability of vaccine and its target population. Lack of awareness regarding safety and vaccine efficacy were the main barriers to acceptance. Educational programs to enhance awareness and acceptability of HPV vaccine among medical students is the need of the hour as they are our future medical fraternity.
Keyword :
Awareness, Cervical cancer, Doses, HPV, Medical students, Vaccine.