The Impact of Health Education on Secondary School Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding HPV and HPV Vaccination

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Oncogenic HPV types can cause cervical cancer and several other malignancies. Vaccination and screening are both essential components of HPV prevention. This study investigated the effect of a 30-minute health education session on secondary school students’ knowledge of HPV, as well as their attitudes toward HPV vaccination and their intention to be vaccinated. The study was conducted in Harghita County among students in grades 9–12. Data were collected using a pre-test/post-test design, with a health education session delivered between the two assessments. Data were recorded electronically and analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (p < 0.05). A total of 125 students (mean age: 16 years; 62.4% female) participated in the study. Baseline HPV knowledge was limited: only 9.6% had completed the HPV vaccination series, and 32% had never heard of HPV before the educational session. Significant differences in baseline knowledge were observed according to sex (female > male; 7.50 vs. 6.00; p < 0.0001) and place of residence (urban > rural; 8.0 vs. 6.0; p < 0.0001). Following the educational intervention, the median knowledge score increased significantly (from 7.00 to 9.00; p < 0.0001). The greatest improvement was observed among groups with lower baseline knowledge (students attending rural schools and unvaccinated students). Fear of vaccine side effects decreased significantly (median: from 3 to 2; p < 0.0001), misconceptions became less prevalent, and the intention to receive HPV vaccination within the next 6–12 months increased, provided that the vaccine was free of charge and readily available (p = 0.0001). These findings demonstrate that health education effectively improves HPV-related knowledge and promotes positive attitudes toward HPV vaccination. The systematic implementation of health education programs is essential for the long-term reduction of HPV infections and HPV-related cancers in Romania.