Assessment of Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitude of Suez University medical students towards Human Papilloma Virus vaccine (HPV): A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Cervical neoplasm is the second most common type of malignancy in female genital organs worldwide, and it affects quality of life in most cases. The most important risk factor for cervical cancer is exposure to Human Papilloma Virus types 16 and 18. Although vaccines are available and eliminate HPV infection, there is a lack of awareness regarding them. Therefore, the present study has been proposed. 
Objective: was to study the awareness of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination among the medical students at Suez University.
Methods: An observational cross-sectional study through a structured online questionnaire about HPV Awareness.
Results : The study included 157 Suez University medical students. They were classified according to their gender (male vs. female), Marital status (single, married, divorced, and widowed), and residence (rural vs. urban areas). The medical colleges included faculty of Medicine students who were also classified according to their age (≤ 21 years vs. 21 years). Of the total medical students, female students showed higher knowledge about the HPV but no statistical difference (68.1%, p = 0.08), and the diseases caused by it (84.1%, p = 0.18), and also showed significantly higher awareness about the mode of HPV transmission (79.1%, p = 0.04). Female students also showed higher knowledge about the presence of a vaccine against the HPV (75.8%, p = 0.75), as well as the safety of the vaccine (74.7%, p = 0.48) compared to male students, but with no statistical difference.), and also showed significantly higher awareness about the mode of HPV transmission (79.1%, p=0.04), female  students also showed higher knowledge about the presence of a vaccine against the HPV (75.8%, p =0.75.8) as well as the safety of the vaccine (74.7%, p =0.48 ) compared to male students but with no statistical difference.
Conclusion: Our study revealed an appreciable level of awareness about the HPV infection and the vaccination. Females had better awareness regarding the infection as well as the vaccine. We found that medical education has a positive impact on raising awareness regarding the causes of cervical cancer, the availability of the vaccine, and its protective efficacy.