Assessing the Role of Education on Turkish University Students’ Knowledge about HPV and Related Diseases

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted causes ofinfections and adolescents are at high risk. The aim of the study was to evaluate university students’ HPVknowledge before and after educational intervention on HPV. <br/><b>Methods</b>: This study was undertaken in the CelalBayar University, Manisa, Turkey. A total of 553 university students were educated about HPV and relateddiseases. Pre-test was administered before education intervention, and then university students’ knowledge wasevaluated by using post-test. Paired sample t test was used to evaluate differences between pre-test and post-testanswers. <br/><b>Results</b>: The mean pre-test score for HPV knowledge was 11.6 (SD 1.76, range 10-20). After education,the mean post-test score was 18.8 (SD 1.52, range 11-20) (p<0.001). <br/><b>Conclusion</b>: Information campaigns andeducation specifically targeting university students are needed in the near future, to promote greater and moreadequate knowledge of HPV and related diseases in the general population.