Publication:

Human papilloma virus vaccines awareness among female medical and dental undergraduate students

Background Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the major risk factor for cervical cancer. Pap smear is the commonest technique for early screening and diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Methods Cross sectional study was carried out at a medical and dental institution of Punjab, India, among 84 medical and dental female undergraduate students, falling in the age group of 18-25 years using a validated and guided questionnaire. Goal of the study was to raise the attention of the underrated and unaware agenda of prevention of cervical carcinoma by available vaccines.

Results 96.42%, 25%, population was aware of HPV vaccination in 3rd, 2nd, medical students respectively and 60.71% in 2nd year dental students. 8.33% of the whole population (n=84) was vaccinated against HPV. The main reasons of not taking the vaccination were that the students had not heard of such a vaccine followed by the cost of the vaccine.

Conclusions Medical and dental undergraduates are not adequately aware about the HPV vaccine and are not vaccinated in large number.