Knowledge and Awareness on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Final Year Nursing and Medical Students in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre

Abstract

Background: In Malaysia, the incidence of about 2145 new cervical cancer cases are diagnosed annually in 2012 with about 621 deaths (ICO, 2016). The aim of this study is to identify level of knowledge and awareness on HPV vaccination among final year nursing and medical students in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). Methodology: A cross sectional design study was carried out to identify the level of knowledge, level of awareness on HPV vaccination and the relationship between socio-demographic variables with level of knowledge and level of awareness on HPV vaccination among final year nursing and medical students in UKMMC. Result: Total 234 nursing and medical students were recruited in the present study. The results showed that most of student had high level of knowledge and awareness on HPV vaccination (85.9% and 100% respectively). For the association between socio-demographic data, findings showed that there was significant relationship between knowledge and race (p=0.006) and marital status (p=0.006) correspondingly. While, there were significant relationship between awareness and gender (p=0.001) and family history of cervical cancer (p=0.014) but had no relationship in race, economic status and marital status (p>0.05).While, there were significant relationship between the level of awareness and gender (p=0.001) and family history of cervical cancer (p=0.014). Conclusion: In conclusion, nursing and medical students had high knowledge and awareness. Race and marital status affected the knowledge while gender and family history of cervical cancer affected the awareness.