Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding HPV Vaccination among Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Students in Chennai
Keerthana Baskar
Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India.
T. Lakshmi *
Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: It is important for dental students to be aware of the HPV vaccination as they are prone to cervical cancer caused due to HPV 16 and 18. HPV can be transmitted through saliva from the patient's oral cavity to the dentist. To evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding HPV vaccination among dental students in Chennai.
Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was prepared to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding HPV vaccination. The questionnaire was circulated among 150 students.
Results: 90 students were undergraduates and 60 were postgraduates, p<0.05. 72.7% of the students were aware of HPV vaccination. 45.5% of the students were aware that HPV vaccination is administered against cervical cancer. Only 30% of the students were immunised against HPV.
Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study it was found that most of the students were aware of HPV vaccination, although very few were immunised with HPV vaccination.
Keywords: Cervical cancer, HPV, vaccination