HPV awareness among medical students: From prevention misconceptions to knowledge gaps regarding Human Papillomavirus (HPV) related diseases in males
Main Article Content
Abstract
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 727 students (aged 19-25) at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, from March 2025 to March 2026. A questionnaire adapted from the KAPPAS scale was used to assess HPV knowledge, identify knowledge gaps, and examine the association between HPV knowledge and vaccination practice. Data were collected using paper-based and online questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression. The median knowledge score was 26 (IQR: 23 – 28)/35. However, 70.0% of students believed that personal hygiene could prevent HPV infection. Cervical cancer was the most commonly recognized HPV-related disease (79.1%), whereas penile cancer was identified by 44.0% of students. Overall, 33.3% had received at least one HPV vaccine dose. Higher HPV knowledge scores were independently associated with higher odds of HPV vaccination (aOR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.02 – 1.13; p = 0.004). Comprehensive and gender-neutral HPV communication should be strengthened to improve vaccination compliance.
Article Details
Keywords
HPV, gender disparity, knowledge gaps, medical students
References
2. Đoàn Văn Quân, Lương Ngọc Mai, Đoàn Hoàng Anh, Trịnh Thị Hồng Nhung. Kiến thức, thái độ về tiêm vắc xin phòng HPV của nam sinh viên phân hiệu Trường Đại học Y Hà Nội năm 2025. Tạp chí Nghiên cứu Y học. 10/31 2025;195(10):758-768. doi:10.52852/tcncyh.v195i10.4037
3. Chính phủ. Nghị quyết số 104/NQ-CP về Lộ trình tăng số lượng vắc xin trong Chương trình Tiêm chủng mở rộng giai đoạn 2021 - 2030. Hà Nội; 2022.
4. Bộ Y tế. Quyết định số 3792/QĐ-BYT. Quyết định ban hành tài liệu chuyên môn “Hướng dẫn dự phòng và kiểm soát ung thư cổ tử cung”. 2024.
5. Li W, Jin Y, Li X, Jin M. Human papillomavirus and vaccine knowledge, willingness, and uptake among university students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health. 2025/12/19 2025;25(1):4268. doi:10.1186/s12889-025-25626-4
6. Hristamyan M, Rangelova V, Lolovski T, Homadi M, Kevorkyan A. Study of the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Students from Medical Majors Regarding HPV Infections and HPV Vaccines. Pathogens. Dec 11 2025;14(12)doi:10.3390/pathogens14121270
7. Sono S, Sukhanonsawat N, Naknuan N, et al. Human papillomavirus vaccination status among university students in Southern Thailand: A cross-sectional study. Prev Med Rep. Oct 2024;46:102857. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2024.102857
8. Lopez N, de la Cueva IS, Taborga E, et al. HPV knowledge and vaccine acceptability: a survey-based study among parents of adolescents (KAPPAS study). Infect Agent Cancer. Nov 17 2022;17(1):55. doi:10.1186/s13027-022-00467-7
9. Taha H, Alhawamdeh T, Alkhaldi SM, et al. Knowledge and attitudes of medical students regarding human papilloma virus infection and vaccine: cross-sectional study from Jordan. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2025;15:1657090. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2025.1657090
10. Du EY, Adjei Boakye E, Taylor DB, et al. Medical students’ knowledge of HPV, HPV vaccine, and HPV-associated head and neck cancer. Hum Vaccin Immunother. Nov 30 2022;18(6):2109892. doi:10.1080/21645515.2022.2109892
11. Li S, Fauzi FA, Jin Z, Manaf RA. HPV Vaccination Knowledge and Awareness Among Male University Students in Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Vaccines (Basel). Jan 27 2026;14(2)doi:10.3390/vaccines14020126
12. Wang W. The impact of vaccine access difficulties on HPV vaccine intention and uptake among female university students in China. Int J Equity Health. Jan 8 2025;24(1):4. doi:10.1186/s12939-024-02370-6