SURVEY OF ATTITUDES TOWARDS HPV VACCINATION AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE
Author(s)
Klaudia TAKÁCS, BSc1, Ilona Karácsony, PhD2, József Betlehem, PhD, habil.3, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD4, Réka Vajda, PhD4, Annamaria Pakai, MSc, RN, PhD3;
1University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Midwifery and Health Visiting, Szombathely, Hungary, 2University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Midwifery and Health Visiting, Pécs, Hungary, 3University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Emergency Care, Pedagogy of Health and Nursing Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 4University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Health Insurance, Pécs, Hungary
1University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Midwifery and Health Visiting, Szombathely, Hungary, 2University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Midwifery and Health Visiting, Pécs, Hungary, 3University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Emergency Care, Pedagogy of Health and Nursing Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 4University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Health Insurance, Pécs, Hungary
OBJECTIVES: The primary cause of cervical cancer is HPV, which may also be responsible for the development of several anogenital tumors (rectum, vagina, penis, vulva, cervix) as well as head and neck tumors. The aim of our research is to explore the knowledge and attitudes of young people aged 12-20 regarding HPV infection and vaccination.
METHODS: Our cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive study was conducted in September and October 2024 using an online questionnaire and paper-based data collection at the Berzsenyi Dániel Gymnasium in Celldömölk. The sample of 12-20-year-olds (n=111) was selected using convenience sampling. The main topics were: socio-demographic data, their knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, and vaccination, their sources of information, their opinions on vaccination, and attitude scales related to cervical cancer and vaccination. The data were processed using Microsoft Excel 2016, in which we applied descriptive statistical methods. We used a two-sample t-test and a χ2 test (p<0.05) to test the hypotheses.
RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 17.14 years. Boys had a lower level of knowledge about HPV and vaccination (p=0.03). The educational attainment of mothers (p=0.58) and fathers (p=0.92) showed no significant correlation with their children's vaccination status. There was no significant correlation between the family history of HPV infection and the vaccination status of young people (p=0.78). There was a significant difference between the attitudes of males and females (p<0.05), while there was no difference based on place of residence (p>0.05). Differences between schools proved to be significant (p<0.05). Students in elementary and middle school had more unfavorable attitudes.
CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge about HPV infection, cervical cancer, and vaccination is generally low, especially among boys. It is particularly important that young people expand their knowledge through up-to-date, easily accessible educational materials, thereby promoting increased willingness to be vaccinated.
METHODS: Our cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive study was conducted in September and October 2024 using an online questionnaire and paper-based data collection at the Berzsenyi Dániel Gymnasium in Celldömölk. The sample of 12-20-year-olds (n=111) was selected using convenience sampling. The main topics were: socio-demographic data, their knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, and vaccination, their sources of information, their opinions on vaccination, and attitude scales related to cervical cancer and vaccination. The data were processed using Microsoft Excel 2016, in which we applied descriptive statistical methods. We used a two-sample t-test and a χ2 test (p<0.05) to test the hypotheses.
RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 17.14 years. Boys had a lower level of knowledge about HPV and vaccination (p=0.03). The educational attainment of mothers (p=0.58) and fathers (p=0.92) showed no significant correlation with their children's vaccination status. There was no significant correlation between the family history of HPV infection and the vaccination status of young people (p=0.78). There was a significant difference between the attitudes of males and females (p<0.05), while there was no difference based on place of residence (p>0.05). Differences between schools proved to be significant (p<0.05). Students in elementary and middle school had more unfavorable attitudes.
CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge about HPV infection, cervical cancer, and vaccination is generally low, especially among boys. It is particularly important that young people expand their knowledge through up-to-date, easily accessible educational materials, thereby promoting increased willingness to be vaccinated.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
PCR33
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Adherence, Persistence, & Compliance, Patient Behavior and Incentives
Disease
SDC: Reproductive & Sexual Health, STA: Vaccines