Knowledge differences between male and female university students about human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer: Implications for health strategies and vaccination

摘要

Knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer (CC) depends on several factors such as gender and education, which brings implications for health strategies and vaccination. A survey was conducted in Portugal with a representative sample of 1706 university students. Only 55.4% (n = 945) had already heard of HPV, although 88.3% (n = 834) from that know that is a risk factor for CC. 89% students (n = 841) wants to be vaccinated against it, but only 13.8% stated as main reason to be vaccinated "prevention of the disease". Mean scores of knowledge were calculated. Statistical differences were found, regarding "CC knowledge", in gender (p < 0.001) and between health sciences schools and non-health sciences schools (p < 0.001). Differences regarding the study area in "knowledge and beliefs of HPV" (p < 0.001) and in "relation between HPV and CC" (p < 0.001) were found. Therefore, these differences may help to develop effective strategies that lead to decline CC incidence and mortality