KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE (KAP) OF HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV)—INFECTION AND ACCEPTABILITY OF HPV VACCINE AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE, KARUR, INDIA

Background: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection, and its persistence can lead to cervical cancer. It can be prevented by vaccines. Objectives: The study was conducted with the objective of analyzing knowledge, attitude, and practice towards HPV infection and the acceptability of vaccination among medical students. Methodology: Around 405 students in a tertiary care centre were randomly selected. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire and statistically analyzed using MS Excel and SPSS version 16. Results: Clinical students had significantly (p<0.01) better knowledge than non-clinical students in areas like HPV and cervical cancer (99%, 91%), sexual transmission (98%, 86%), and HPV vaccine (92%, 74%). Non-clinical students significantly (p<0.01) differ from clinical students by agreeing in areas related to vaccination, perceived as “sexually active” (32%, 22%), parent’s decision (40%, 25%) and partner’s opinion (81%, 56%). None of the students were ever screened for HPV infection or cervical cancer. No difference was seen between the phases related to HPV transmission through direct contact and non-curability. Conclusions: Clinical students had better knowledge than non-clinical students in core areas related to HPV. Integration of learning across subjects from the day of admission is inevitable.