Knowledge, awareness and prevalence of Human Papillomavirus among local University students and Healthcare workers in South India: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundHuman Papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with half a dozen of cancers various sites. Although HPV vaccines have great potential to prevent HPV-related illness, due the lack knowledge and absence effective immunization schemes, HPV-associated diseases continue rise. It important that students healthcare workers are well informed about risks infection its prevention.MethodsA questionnaire-based survey was conducted on 242 participants involving from medical non-medical backgrounds within university setting. The participant's general awareness HPV, diseases, were tested. As an exploratory study, oral rinse collected assess prevalence in population.ResultsThe response rate 96.8 % majority being female (68 %). There no significant difference mean scores between genders. Medical had significantly higher when compared (8.97 9.33 vs 7.08). Only one-third identified does not cause AIDS Herpes. More than 50 did know if available India. agreed provide their for testing. PCR analysis detect any HPV-DNA.ConclusionOverall results emphasize education urgently needed address some worrying gaps knowledge.