Human Papilloma Virus Infection and Vaccine Knowledge Levels, Attitudes, Beliefs in University Students: Turkey and Ghana Comparison

Abstract

Purpose: Studies reported that early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cervical cancer are influenced by knowledge, beliefs, and attitude toward screening. This descriptive-comparative study aimed to assess human papilloma virus (HPV) knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs in university students and the affecting factors and to compare between Turkish and Ghanaian students.Methods: The sample consists of 933 university students studying in 4 different faculties in 2 universities from Turkey and Ghana. The data were collected between November 2019 and February 2020. The study's data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance, Pearson Correlation test, t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test.Results: The findings of the study showed that none of the students in both countries had HPV vaccination. It was found that students have low level of knowledge about HPV infection and vaccine (3.28 +/- 2.14) and positive attitudes (16.57 +/- 3.28) and beliefs (36.74 +/- 6.55) toward vaccine. The attitude score of the Ghanaian students (17.54 +/- 3.23) was found to be significantly higher than the Turkish students (15.74 +/- 3.09). The knowledge score of the Ghanaian students who had sexual intercourse was found to be significantly higher than others. The findings of the study revealed that the students of both countries had low level of knowledge about HPV infection and vaccine and positive attitudes and beliefs toward the vaccine.Conclusions: It is recommended to increase effective interventions to increase the knowledge level of university students about HPV infection and vaccine. In addition, the vaccine should be included in the immunization program in both countries.