Knowledge of the HPV vaccine and its association with vaccine uptake among female higher-education students in Greece

• Published in: Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics Vol. 9; no. 2
• Main Authors: Donadiki, Elisavet M, Jiménez-García, Rodrigo, Hernández-Barrera, Valentín, Carrasco-Garrido, Pilar, López de Andrés, Ana, Jimenez-Trujillo, Isabel, Velonakis, Emmanuel G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Landes Bioscience 01.02.2013
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Binding; Biology; Bioscience; Calcium; Cancer; Cell; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cycle; Female; Greece - epidemiology; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Landes; Organogenesis; Papillomavirus Infections - complications; Papillomavirus Infections - epidemiology; Papillomavirus Vaccines - immunology; Proteins; Short Report; Students; Universities; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - epidemiology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - prevention & control; Vaccination - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; predictors; education; human papillomavirus vaccine; uptake; knowledge
• ISSN: 2164-5515; 2164-554X
• DOI: 10.4161/hv.22548

The aims of the study were to assess the awareness and knowledge of HPV vaccination among female university and technological institutes students, and their association with vaccine uptake, and to identify the variables associated with higher levels of knowledge.   We conducted a cross-sectional study among females (age 18–26 y) at institutions of higher education (universities and technological institutes) in Athens (Greece). Data was collected by way of a self-completed questionnaire that included questions on vaccine uptake and four questions about knowledge. A new variable was created by adding up the correct answers (range 0–4) and categorizing them as “low level” (0–2) and high level of knowledge (> 2). Independent variables included: Vaccine uptake, socio-demographic characteristics and health and sexual behavior variables. 3,153 female students took part in this research (participation rate 87%), 25.82% of whom were vaccinated against HPV. Most participants (97.15%) correctly answered the question about the existence of HPV, but only 28.41% knew at which age the vaccination is recommended. Overall, 59.1% of respondents had a high level of knowledge regarding the vaccine. The multivariate logistic model showed that being vaccinated was positively and significantly associated with a high level of knowledge. Positive predictors of higher levels of knowledge were: older age; being in a relationship; being a health sciences student; past HPV infection. In conclusion, the level of knowledge and vaccine uptake among female higher-education students in Greece was below desirable levels. A high level of knowledge is positively associated with vaccine uptake. Health education efforts are needed to improve knowledge among all higher education students in Greece.