Knowledge among college students and employees of local health units about human papillomavirus and cervical cancer and its implications for public health strategies and vaccination

Abstract

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection worldwide. It is estimated that 70% of cervical cancer cases are related to high-risk HPV 16 and 18 types; and 90% of genital warts to HPV 6 and 11. Despite its prevalence and significant associated morbidity, the knowledge about the infection and its prevention remain limited. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge about HPV, its relation to cervical cancer and genital warts and the HPV vaccine among students of The Federal University of Santa Catarina and employees of local health units in the city of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional analysis with 136 college students from the health care area or not and 77 employees from local health units, assessed through questionnaires including demographic data, lifestyle habits, characteristics of HPV infection and HPV vaccine. Data were analyzed using IBM software programs SPSS 20.0 and Epi Info 6.04, and the possible associations between variables were tested using the χ2 test. Results: 94,3% of participants reported knowledge about HPV, and 77,93% about HPV vaccine. HPV was identified as causing cervical cancer by 67,86% of the subjects in school, 55,22% of individuals from higher education without training in health and 94,91% of individuals with training in health. Only 3,75% of the respondents received the vaccine, despite 90,61% saying that would allow their child to receive it. Conclusion: Knowledge about HPV infection, its consequences and prevention, both in people in school and in higher education is still very limited.