Awareness regarding Human Papilloma virus and its vaccine among post-graduate students of a north Indian Medical college

Introduction: Cervical cancer, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and the second most common among Indian women. Two prophylactic vaccines are currently available and marketed in many countrieswhich are directed against oncogenic genotypes. To communicate to the community regarding the new vaccine, it is important to understand the awareness and attitude among caregivers. The study envisaged to study the awareness and attitude of our medical college post-graduate students towards HPV and its Vaccine. Methods: A cross sectional study was undertaken on a calculated sample size of 53 using a pre-designed semi-structured 20 point questionnaire. Results: Majority of participants (24.5% each) scored 13 and 14 (65%-70% correct knowledge). The attitude towards introduction of vaccine in immunization schedule was negative among 20% of participants. Majority (97.9%) were of opinion that the term ‘cancer vaccine’ better suited rather than a vaccine against a sexually transmitted infection. Conclusions: The incomplete knowledge about the epidemiology of infection and cancer and its preventive measure among doctors is alarming for the health system. A lack of knowledge about the threat of vaccine-preventable diseases, risks and benefits of vaccines, mistrust of government and health workers, poor service delivery and alternative health or religious beliefs play a role in lower uptake of some vaccines. Hence, there exists a need to implement aggressive health education programs, group discussions and targeting mainly the adolescent population. We should encourage medical students in group discussions, interactive sessions and forums where all the doubts and aspects of HPV and its association with cervical cancer can be highlighted and clarified which would ultimately culminate in lowering the burden of cervical cancer.