HPV knowledge and behavioral intention among health science undergraduate students: Influence of future health care professionals

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine knowledge and preventive behaviors related to HPV and cervical cancer among undergraduate health science students in India. Methods: Six hundred and Thirty nine undergraduate health science students at a private Indian university completed a paper-and-pencil survey. Univariate and bivariate (chi-square and logistic regression) analyses were tabulated using SPSS 13.0. Results: Few (12%) respondents reported seeking preventive health care practices. HPV knowledge was very low (Mean=33.1%). Only half of responders were correct in knowing that the Pap smear tests for cervical cancer (53.6%). Whereas one in five responders (21.6%) reporting knowing a female diagnosed with cervical cancer, only 3.7% of females reporting having had a Pap test. Among those having heard of the HPV vaccine (9.3%), few reported having received the vaccine (5.2%) and most (83.1%) reported that is was Very Unlikely/Unlikely that they would vaccinate their daughters. Conclusion: Future efforts should address the low knowledge and rates of preventive behaviors regarding HPV and cervical cancer among Indian health science students as these emerging health professionals will play an important role in decreasing HPVrelated morbidity and mortality in India.