Knowledge and Awareness regarding Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection and vaccination among adolescents aged 14 – 16 years in selected mixed Government Schools in Kesbewa Educational Division, Sri Lanka.
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Date
2020Author
Ushara, HLC
Wijesimghe, HMRR
Vysnavy, V
Malalagama, GGCR
Jayasekara, MGCH
Priyadarshanie, MN
Rodrigo, GDI
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Abstract:-Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is
the most prevalent sexually transmitted
infection worldwide. It causes cervical
cancer which is the second most common
cancer type among Sri Lankan women. HPV
vaccine has been introduced for early
adolescents in preventing HPV. Adequate
knowledge and awareness regarding HPV
and vaccine is effective in successful
prevention. The objective of this study was
to assess the knowledge and awareness
regarding HPV infection and vaccination
among adolescents aged 14-16 years
studied in selected mixed government
schools in Kesbewa Educational Division, Sri
Lanka. A descriptive cross-sectional study
was conducted among randomly selected
450 male and female adolescents aged 14-
16 years studied in selected mixed
government schools in Kesbewa
Educational Division using a pre tested selfadministered
questionnaire. Results
portrayed that, only 139(30.89%)
participants had heard of HPV infection
before the study. Among them 113(81.3%)
had overall poor knowledge regarding HPV
infection. The mean knowledge score was
6.01±4.332 with the range of 0-18. Out of all
participants, only 137(30.4%) had heard of
HPV vaccine before the study and
117(85.4%) of them had overall poor
awareness on HPV vaccination. The mean
awareness score was 3.12±2.997 with the
range of 0-11. Adolescents’ knowledge and
awareness on HPV infection and vaccination
was statistically significant with parents’
occupation (p=0.000 95%CI). The study
concluded that the majority of adolescents
had overall poor knowledge and awareness
regarding HPV infection and vaccination. It
is necessary to implement well-designed,
systematic health education interventions to
enhance knowledge and awareness
regarding HPV infection and vaccination
among adolescents.