Next Article in Journal
COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance and Hesitancy among Healthcare Workers in Germany
Next Article in Special Issue
Dental Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes about Human Papillomavirus Prevention
Previous Article in Journal
Vaccine Composition Formulated with a Novel Lactobacillus-Derived Exopolysaccharides Adjuvant Provided High Protection against Staphylococcus aureus
Previous Article in Special Issue
Stakeholders’ Understandings of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Rapid Qualitative Systematic Review
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Polish Medical Students’ Knowledge Regarding Human Papillomavirus’s Ways of Transmission, Risk of Cancer Development and Vaccination, and Their Intention to Recommend Vaccination

1
Department of Urology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
2
Department of Computer Sciences and Statistics, University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
3
Department of Radiotherapy, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
4
Department of Urology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus Univeristy in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland
5
Department of Electro–Radiology, University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
6
Radiotherapy Department, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Vaccines 2021, 9(7), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9070776
Submission received: 12 April 2021 / Revised: 30 June 2021 / Accepted: 1 July 2021 / Published: 12 July 2021
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Importance of Vaccination against Human Papillomavirus)

Abstract

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with six types of cancer in men and women. A vaccine against HPV, preferably administered before initial sexual intercourse, has been proven to be highly effective in preventing these cancers. An effective healthcare provider recommendation has significant influence on HPV vaccine uptake; therefore, it is critical that medical students receive comprehensive training in this area. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of medical students regarding Human Papillomavirus’s (HPV) ways of transmission, risk of cancer development, and vaccination against HPV. This study also investigated factors among medical students that would affect their intention to recommend HPV vaccination to others. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 1061 (678 women and 383 men) medical students who filled in our questionnaire. The medical students were divided into two subgroups: (1) pre-clinical medical students (MS pre-clinical; first-to third-year students; n = 683) and (2) clinical medical students (MS clinical; fourth-to six-year students; n = 378). Results: A total259 (24.41%) of the 1061 medical students were vaccinated against HPV. We found a significant improvement in the general level of knowledge in the later years of education (4–6) compared to the early years of education (1–3). However, it was demonstrated that, despite medical education advancements, there are still significant gaps of knowledge about the relationship between HPV infection and cancers other than cervical cancer, as well as in relation to the routes by which HPV is transmitted. Medical students’ intentions to recommend HPV vaccine to others were related to their own HPV-related knowledge and their own vaccination status. Conclusion: Medical students have gaps of knowledge regarding particular issues and aspects of HPV. It is necessary to further educate medical students in the field of prevention and in the treatment of lesions caused by HPV infection. Medical students’ intention to recommend the HPV vaccine can be improved by including them and members of their families in the HPV vaccination program.
Keywords: HPV (human papillomavirus); medical education student; vaccination HPV (human papillomavirus); medical education student; vaccination

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Milecki, T.; Michalak, M.; Milecki, J.; Michalak, M.; Kadziszewski, R.; Kuncman, Ł.; Jarzemski, P.; Milecki, P.; Antczak, A. Polish Medical Students’ Knowledge Regarding Human Papillomavirus’s Ways of Transmission, Risk of Cancer Development and Vaccination, and Their Intention to Recommend Vaccination. Vaccines 2021, 9, 776. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9070776

AMA Style

Milecki T, Michalak M, Milecki J, Michalak M, Kadziszewski R, Kuncman Ł, Jarzemski P, Milecki P, Antczak A. Polish Medical Students’ Knowledge Regarding Human Papillomavirus’s Ways of Transmission, Risk of Cancer Development and Vaccination, and Their Intention to Recommend Vaccination. Vaccines. 2021; 9(7):776. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9070776

Chicago/Turabian Style

Milecki, Tomasz, Maciej Michalak, Jakub Milecki, Michał Michalak, Radosław Kadziszewski, Łukasz Kuncman, Piotr Jarzemski, Piotr Milecki, and Andrzej Antczak. 2021. "Polish Medical Students’ Knowledge Regarding Human Papillomavirus’s Ways of Transmission, Risk of Cancer Development and Vaccination, and Their Intention to Recommend Vaccination" Vaccines 9, no. 7: 776. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9070776

APA Style

Milecki, T., Michalak, M., Milecki, J., Michalak, M., Kadziszewski, R., Kuncman, Ł., Jarzemski, P., Milecki, P., & Antczak, A. (2021). Polish Medical Students’ Knowledge Regarding Human Papillomavirus’s Ways of Transmission, Risk of Cancer Development and Vaccination, and Their Intention to Recommend Vaccination. Vaccines, 9(7), 776. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9070776

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop