Examining HPV knowledge levels of midwifery and nursing undergraduate students: A cross-sectional study in Turkey

Abstract

HPV infection can lead to various diseases, from benign lesions to cancer, both in men and women. Health professionals with a high level of HPV knowledge will be effective in raising public awareness. This study aims to investigate the HPV knowledge level of midwifery and nursing students, who are future healthcare professionals. This study was carried out cross-sectionally. The data were collected between September and October 2022. The study was completed by 565 students. The form used is the 'Human Papilloma Virus Knowledge Scale  (HPV-KS)'. The scale consists of 33 items and 4 sub-dimensions. The highest score to be obtained from the scale is 33 and the lowest  score is 0. A high score indicates a high level of knowledge about HPV. In this study, it was found that nursing and midwifery students had  low knowledge about HPV (11.45±6.79). The HPV knowledge level of midwifery students was found higher than nursing students  (p=0.000). Female students scored significantly higher than males in the HPV testing knowledge questions (p=0.045) and HPV vaccine  knowledge questions (p=0.022) sub-dimensions. The HPV knowledge score of the students who stated that they had sufficient knowledge  about sexually transmitted diseases was also high (p=0.000). Awareness  of HPV should be developed in nursing and  midwifery students. It is important for nursing and midwifery students, who will provide health services after graduation, to have a high  level of HPV knowledge in order to protect their own and society's health.