KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, PRACTICES, and INFLUENCING FACTORS of HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) and HPV-RELATED DISEASES among YOUNG PEOPLE Aged 15-26 YEARS

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HPV and HPV-related diseases as well as associated influencing factors among young Chinese people aged 15-26 years. Participants aged 15-26 years living in mainland China were recruited between September 2022 and March 2023 by convenience sampling. Demographic characteristics and the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HPV and HPV-related diseases were assessed in questionnaires. The data collection process of this cross-sectional study was executed online. Data analysis used descriptive statistical analysis, chi-squared (χ2) test, and binary logistic regression analysis. In this study, 1005 valid questionnaires were collected. 910 had heard of HPV, 835 had a high level of HPV knowledge, 778 had a high level of HPV-related diseases knowledge, and the HPV vaccination rate was 23.10%. The logistic regression analysis showed that aged 19-22 years (OR=2.330, p=0.001), aged 23-26 years (OR=3.216, p=0.005), female (OR=3.020, p<0.001), majoring in medicine (OR=2.109, p<0.001), having relatives engaged in medical work (OR=2.234, p<0.001), and using condoms at sexual intercourse (OR=2.322, p=0.009) were the influencing factors of HPV knowledge. Furthermore, the result showed that aged 19-22 years (OR=1.925, p=0.003) and aged 23-26 years (OR=2.484, p=0.009), majoring in medicine (OR=2.799, p<0.001) and using condoms at sexual intercourse (OR=3.262, p<0.001) were the influencing factors of HPV-related diseases knowledge. The findings revealed that young people aged 15-26 years had a high level of HPV and HPV-related diseases knowledge, but they still did not have enough in-depth understanding. Besides, the HPV vaccination rate was low, but the vaccination intention was high. In the future, it is necessary further to strengthen health education on HPV and HPV-related diseases, optimize HPV vaccination policy, and promote HPV vaccination.