Knowledge of human papillomavirus, cervical cancer, and anti-HPV vaccine among students from a university in Goiás, Brazil

Authors

  • Thairine Carrijo do Prado
  • Leonardo Luiz Borges
  • Vera Aparecida Saddi
  • Andrea Alves Ribeiro
  • Silvia Helena Rabelo dos Santos

Keywords:

Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Biological Science, uterine cervical neoplasms, vaccines

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer affects women worldwide. The etiological pathogen is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Despite the high incidence, there are some prevention programs that include Pap smear test and the anti-HPV vaccine. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception and knowledge of HPV infection, cervical cancer, and anti-HPV vaccine among biomedicine students from the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás (PUC Goiás). Methods: A questionnaire was administered with objective questions in a multiple-choice format. The mean score for each group of questions was classified as follows: satisfactory, if above 80%; reasonable, between 70 and 80%; and unsatisfactory, when less than 70%. The data was transferred to the R Core Team 2012. In order to develop the statistical analysis, the chi-square test (χ2) was applied, with a confidence interval of 95% and a significant value below 0.05. Results: From 268 participants, the scores concerning the HPV infection varied from 23,2 to 99,6%, with an average of 75,7%; with regard to cervical cancer, scores ranged from 25,9 to 98,1% with an average of 68,9%; and regarding the anti-HPV vaccine, scores ranged from 14,3 to 97,4%, with an average of 69,3%. Conclusion: The results showed that the general performance of the academics was insufficient. We highlight the need for new strategies on undergraduate teaching about HPV, its complications and prevention.

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Author Biographies

Thairine Carrijo do Prado

School of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Biomedical Sciences of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás (PUC Goiás) – Goiânia (GO), Brazil.

Leonardo Luiz Borges

School of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Biomedical Sciences of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás (PUC Goiás) – Goiânia (GO), Brazil

Vera Aparecida Saddi

School of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Biomedical Sciences of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás (PUC Goiás) – Goiânia (GO), Brazil

Andrea Alves Ribeiro

School of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Biomedical Sciences of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás (PUC Goiás) – Goiânia (GO), Brazil

Silvia Helena Rabelo dos Santos

School of Pharmacy of the Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) – Goiânia (GO), Brazil

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Published

2016-09-25

How to Cite

1.
Prado TC do, Borges LL, Saddi VA, Ribeiro AA, Santos SHR dos. Knowledge of human papillomavirus, cervical cancer, and anti-HPV vaccine among students from a university in Goiás, Brazil. DST [Internet]. 2016 Sep. 25 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];28(3):79-85. Available from: https://bjstd.org/revista/article/view/770

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Section

Original Article