1. HPV Knowledge, Vaccine Status, and Health Literacy Among University Students
- Author
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Min Qi Wang, Harriet Kitur, Kenneth H. Beck, and Alice M. Horowitz
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Cancer prevention ,business.industry ,Significant difference ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Health literacy ,Affect (psychology) ,Vaccination ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Oncology ,Vaccination status ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Family medicine ,medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Educational interventions ,business ,Hpv knowledge - Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess university students' knowledge and understanding about HPV and its association with their vaccination status and health literacy. A sample of 383 undergraduate university students between the ages of 18 and 26 were recruited between February 14 and March 22, 2018. An electronic survey was administered to assess knowledge and HPV awareness, vaccination status, and health literacy. Participants had moderate mean knowledge scores of 6.02 of a possible 11 (SD = 3.06). There was a positive association between health literacy and HPV knowledge and a statistically significant difference in knowledge scores between those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated p < 0.001. This study expanded available research on HPV vaccine and its uptake among university students and can be used to develop educational interventions. Continuous examination of HPV knowledge gaps and identifying factors that affect vaccine uptake is pivotal to increasing vaccination rates.
- Published
- 2021