Knowledge on Cervical Cancer Prevention and HPV Vaccination Among Female Students in Tertiary Education Centers in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka

Background: Carcinoma of cervix is common yet preventable. Sri Lankan young population is at risk. This study was conducted among the students attached to three non-conventional higher education institutions with ref­erence to assessing the awareness, screening methods, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) as causative factor and attitude towards HPV vaccination.

Methods: A validated questionnaire was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 software.

Results: 120 females participated, age ranging 19 to 25 years. Seventy (57.5%) participants were aware of the cervical cancer. Seventy percent of them were also aware HPV as causative factor. About half of the participants (50.8%) were not aware of availability of cervical screening. Among those aware of the screening, about half re­ported the availability of both Pap smear and HPV testing. Totally about 87% were aware of the Pap smear. Sixty nine students [57.5%] were ‘not sure’ of the availability of HPV vaccine and 58 of them stated ‘unsure of vaccine received’. About 16% did not want to receive the vaccine. One third mentioned that the HPV Vaccine is available in Sri Lanka.

Conclusions: The awareness noted under 60% of the participants indicates the need for structured awareness programs to young population. Majority of participants were confused about the availability and whether they had received of HPV vaccine.