Knowledge, attitude and practices towards human papillomavirus infection, vaccination and cervical cancer among paramedical students at a Sri Lankan University

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, and HPV an aetiological agent for cervical cancer (CC). In Sri Lanka, CC second frequent affecting women. The present study was undertaken to determine knowledge, attitude practices (KAP) regarding infection, vaccination among paramedical students Faculty Allied Health Sciences (FAHS), University Peradeniya. Methods: A purposive sample 200 following 5 different degree programmes at FAHS including 128 females 72 males were surveyed. pre-tested questionnaire used assess KAP, analysis scale KAP ranged from ‘satisfactory’ ‘fair’ ‘inadequate’. Results: Twelve percent participants reached fair satisfactory knowledge scores on CC. significant difference in score noted between females, academic year study, ethnicities. percentage 79.5 towards Attitude also significantly differed females. Only 12% a practice no categories score. Conclusion: Overall, vaccination, its preventive measures respondents low. However, majority had positive attitude. As considerable gaps exists many areas, there urgent need educational improve related prevention students.