A Cross-Sectional Study of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions toward HPV Vaccination Among Undergraduate Students Studying in Sarawak, Malaysia.
Cervical cancer remains a significant public health problem, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and is mainly caused by persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Despite Malaysia's national HPV vaccination program, gaps in knowledge, misconceptions, and suboptimal vaccine uptake persist even among university students.
This study aimed to assess HPV-related knowledge, attitudes and perceptions toward HPV vaccination among undergraduate students studying in Sarawak, and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with knowledge levels.
A total of 382 undergraduate students participated, of whom 55% were unvaccinated against HPV. Overall, HPV knowledge was moderate, with students from health faculties demonstrating higher HPV knowledge compared with those from non-health faculties ([aOR] = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1-3.5; p = 0.016); Indian participants had significantly higher odds of high HPV-related knowledge compared with Malay participants (adjOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.0-7.0; p = 0.043). Vaccinated students have significantly higher HPV-related knowledge compared with unvaccinated students (adjOR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2-3.0; p=0.007). Attitudes toward HPV vaccination were generally positive, although concerns regarding cost, safety, and social stigma remained.
Undergraduate students demonstrated moderate knowledge and positive attitudes toward HPV vaccination; however, notable knowledge gaps and misconceptions persist, particularly among non-health students and those who were unvaccinated. Targeted educational strategies and improved access to reliable information are essential to strengthen HPV prevention efforts.
This study aimed to assess HPV-related knowledge, attitudes and perceptions toward HPV vaccination among undergraduate students studying in Sarawak, and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with knowledge levels.
A total of 382 undergraduate students participated, of whom 55% were unvaccinated against HPV. Overall, HPV knowledge was moderate, with students from health faculties demonstrating higher HPV knowledge compared with those from non-health faculties ([aOR] = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1-3.5; p = 0.016); Indian participants had significantly higher odds of high HPV-related knowledge compared with Malay participants (adjOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.0-7.0; p = 0.043). Vaccinated students have significantly higher HPV-related knowledge compared with unvaccinated students (adjOR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2-3.0; p=0.007). Attitudes toward HPV vaccination were generally positive, although concerns regarding cost, safety, and social stigma remained.
Undergraduate students demonstrated moderate knowledge and positive attitudes toward HPV vaccination; however, notable knowledge gaps and misconceptions persist, particularly among non-health students and those who were unvaccinated. Targeted educational strategies and improved access to reliable information are essential to strengthen HPV prevention efforts.
Authors
Lim Lim, Tan Tan, Bujang Bujang, Shandra Shandra, Nor Azman Nor Azman, Mohd Razali Mohd Razali, Tan Tan, Wan Maharuddin Wan Maharuddin, Ismail Ismail, Rashid Rashid, Tiong Tiong, Voon Voon
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