Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus, Risk of Anogenital Cancers, and Benefits of Vaccination: A Medical Student Survey in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and plays a significant role in the development of anogenital cancer. However, there is a lack of awareness on the subject in Saudi Arabia and very few documented studies on the knowledge and awareness of medical students regarding HPV. Methods A cross-sectional study utilizing a survey distributed to 306 medical students of both genders was utilized. A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed to all participants to assess their knowledge of HPV and their attitude towards HPV vaccination. Data analysis was performed using SPSS v 24 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, US) and RStudio v 1.14 (Boston, US). Results Most of the respondents (72.2%) had a high level of knowledge regarding HPV, with 47.84% of the respondents being aware of the risks associated with HPV and having a positive attitude towards HPV. Female respondents had better awareness and knowledge as compared to male students. However, there was a lack of knowledge regarding the duration and frequency of HPV infection, which could have an effect on the attitude of medical students towards vaccination. The results obtained by using Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a statistically significant correlation between the attitude towards HPV and the knowledge regarding HPV (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion Better awareness and knowledge regarding HPV and its risks correlate with a better attitude towards HPV. The medical school curriculum was found to be a primary source of information for students on the awareness of HPV. Therefore, more about HPV and the benefits associated with vaccination against HPV should be included in the curriculum in all years of medical school.