Knowledge and Awareness of HPV Infection and Vaccination Among Urban Adolescents in India: A Cross-Sectional Study

To assess the level of awareness and knowledge of HPV infection and vaccination among 1,000 adolescent girls from secondary schools and colleges in five metro cities of India-Ahmedabad, Cuttack, Lucknow, Gwalior, and Visakhapatnam. To evaluate participants own interest and barriers toward HPV vaccination for cervical cancer prevention.

This cross-sectional study was conducted by Adolescent Health Committee of FOGSI from April 2009 to March 2010 under the project "protecting young girls." Girls of 13-19 years, with an average of 16 years are targeted.

A written questionnaire with two parts has been applied. A preliminary written questionnaire included questions of knowledge on cancer cervix and HPV awareness. Then, health talk on HPV is given by the researcher and group discussions lasting for 20 min. Second questionnaire was then applied to evaluate effectiveness of the talk.

The study group participants are poorly aware about HPV infection and vaccination but are intensely willing to know about it and get vaccinated. 72 % of them did not know about cervical cancer or HPV. 77.2 % were not aware of the virus that causes cancer cervix. After the health talks. there is an overall significant positive improvement in both knowledge and awareness. 74.4 % of them agreed to get vaccinated.

This study brings out the unawareness about HPV infection and vaccination in urban adolescent girls in five metro cities in India. Results show a changing positive trend of acceptance toward HPV vaccination. Adolescent understanding of HPV is needed to have successful vaccination programs in India.