Human Papilloma Virus vaccine – awareness and acceptability amongst medical students in a tertiary teaching hospital in South India

Objectives: To evaluate awareness and acceptability of HPV vaccine amongst medical students in a tertiary teaching hospital. Materials and methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study carried out in a tertiary hospital in South India in January 2015. A self-administered questionnaire in English was given to 310 undergraduate medical students after obtaining consent. Parameters studied included awareness and acceptability of HPV vaccine. Data was analysed using SPSS 16 software. Results: Response rate in this study was 100%.40% of students were <20 years of age, while the remaining were between 21-25 years, while gender distribution was equal (50%). 92% felt that HPV is preventable. 89% were aware of HPV vaccine and in 74% the source of information was medical books/ classes. 81% knew of barrier contraceptive as method of HPV prevention. 54% thought that the vaccine is approved for the age group 10-20 years. 50% didn't know that that the vaccine could be administered to males and 60% felt that screening for cervical cancer is necessary prior to vaccination. Need for cervical cancer screening post vaccination was supported by 80% of students. Approximately 50% of the students were not aware of the types, route, doses and 76% were not aware of the contraindications of HPV vaccine. 40% felt that it is protective only against cervical cancer and were unsure of the efficacy. 68% didn't know the duration of protection and 78% had no idea about the cost. Overall 40% said that they would have the vaccine, 41% were not sure and 18% didn't want to have the vaccine. 50% of the students felt that HPV vaccine should be incorporated in National Immunisation programme.