Knowledge Gaps and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus and Its Vaccine Among Educated Young Adults in Jordan: A...

Human papillomavirus (HPV) remains a major global public health concern and is strongly associated with cervical and several other cancers. In Jordan, the HPV vaccine has not yet been incorporated into the national immunization program, and public awareness appears limited. We aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes regarding HPV and its vaccine among Jordanian young adults and to examine associations between HPV awareness and sociodemographic factors. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 441 Jordanian adults aged 18-29 years. Participants completed a 35-item questionnaire adapted from previously validated instruments assessing HPV knowledge, vaccine awareness, beliefs, and attitudes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable regression analyses to identify factors associated with HPV knowledge and vaccination status. Overall HPV knowledge was limited (mean score 5.71 ± 4.57 out of 18), and nearly one-third of participants reported no prior knowledge of the virus. Misconceptions regarding transmission routes and HPV-related cancers were common. Higher educational level, affiliation with the health sector, and urban residence were independently associated with higher knowledge levels. Vaccination uptake was low (8.2%), and many participants expressed uncertainty regarding vaccine safety and effectiveness. Regression analysis showed that none of the examined variables were significant predictors of vaccination status. In conclusion, Substantial knowledge gaps and uncertainty surrounding HPV vaccination exist among young adults in Jordan. These findings suggest the need for further representative research and may inform future culturally appropriate HPV education efforts. The effectiveness of such approaches in improving HPV vaccine acceptance should be evaluated in future studies.