| Keywords |
Human papillomavirus ; Vaccination ; Adolescent ; Women ; Uterine cervical neoplasms |
| Abstract |
This descriptive cross-sectional study was designed to assess HPV vaccination coverage, intention to HPV vaccination, cervical cancer knowledge, and HPV knowledge among female middle and high school students. A applied structured questionnaire included items on sociodemographics, Ob-Gyn information, HPV vaccination coverage, and intention to HPV vaccination, cervical cancer knowledge, and HPV knowledge. In this study, among 452 adolescents 10.2% obtained HPV vaccine. 54.2% of non-vaccinated respondents intended to obtain HPV vaccination. The correct response rate of cervical cancer knowledge items ranged from 5.5% to 87.4%, and HPV knowledge items ranged from 25.2% to 89.4%. There were significant differences in cervical cancer knowledge score between intended group and not-intended group for vaccination. This results indicate the need for further education to increase knowledge of cervical cancer and HPV. It is important that mothers of adolescents are informed and encouraged HPV vaccination. Also, school health teachers and mass media should provide adequate information about HPV vaccination for students and mothers. |