Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding HPV Vaccination among Female Students at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine in 2024

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HPV vaccination among female students at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine in 2024. The study sample included 319 female students from the Bachelor’s program. The results revealed that 17.9% of students had correct knowledge about HPV and the HPV vaccine. Only 29.8% of students demonstrated a positive attitude toward the HPV vaccine. Furthermore, 37.6% of students had received the HPV vaccine. Among them, 28.2% had completed all three doses of the vaccine. Students with correct knowledge, a positive attitude, or those with relatives who had been vaccinated had significantly higher vaccination rates compared to the other students (p < 0.001). Differences in vaccination practices were also observed based on certain factors, such as the students’ field of study, family economic status, and family history of HPVrelated diseases (p < 0.05). The main barrier preventing students from receiving the vaccine was its cost. Therefore, policies to subsidize the price of the HPV vaccine are necessary to provide students with better access to the vaccine, thereby promoting their awareness of personal and family health protection.