Awareness, Knowledge and Attitudes about Human Papilloma Virus among Female tertiary students in South Africa

• Main Author: Admire Takuranenhamo Chikandiwa
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Human Papilloma Virus; Cervical Cancer; Awareness; Knowledge; Vaccine; Health Belief Model; University Students; Predictors; Acceptability; Attitudes; Beliefs.
• Online Access: http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_3777_1298874528

<p>The study aimed to describe the knowledge and awareness of HPV infection and vaccine of female university students and to determine the predictors of vaccine acceptability.&nbsp === The study found that 70% of the participants were sexually active. Awareness and knowledge on HPV/vaccine were poor === with only 22% being aware of HPV and that a HPV vaccine was available in South Africa. A greater proportion (80%) reported willingness to be vaccinated. Being aware of the existence of a pap smear, higher knowledge about HPV, higher perceived vaccine effectiveness and higher perceived severity of HPV infection were significantly associated with increased willingness to be vaccinated.</p>