Research Article

Knowledge levels and vaccination status of intern doctors in a medical school about Human Papilloma Virus

Volume: 43 Number: 1 April 1, 2026

Knowledge levels and vaccination status of intern doctors in a medical school about Human Papilloma Virus

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the knowledge level of intern doctors at XXX University Faculty of Medicine (XXFM) regarding Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and to evaluate their HPV vaccination status. The study was conducted among intern doctors from XXFM during the 2023-2024 academic year, as part of a descriptive study planned between January ,2024, and June 30, 2024. The goal was to include all 270 students without selecting a sample, and the study was completed with 256 participants (95%). Of the participants, 41.8% were male and 58.2% were female, with ages ranging between 22 and 31 years. The median score on the HPV Knowledge Scale was 23 (range:8-31). Only 2.7% of the participants reported having received the HPV vaccine. No significant association was found between vaccination status and gender, HPV knowledge scale scores, economic status, parental education levels, or history of sexual intercourse. Additionally, 89.5% of women and 47.2% of men who had not yet received the HPV vaccine expressed intent to get vaccinated in the future. Willingness to be vaccinated was significantly higher among women. Of those not considering HPV vaccination,50.7% cited a lack of perceived necessity, while 15.4% mentioned cost as a deterrent. Participants who were considering vaccination had significantly higher scores on the HPV Knowledge Scale, HPV vaccine knowledge, and knowledge of current HPV vaccination programs. Raising awareness about HPV among students and their parents, and improving access to the vaccine by offering it free of charge, are key factors that could increase vaccination rates.

Keywords

References

  1. Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, Dikshit R, Eser S, Mathers C, Rebelo M, Parkin DM, Forman D, Bray F. Cancer incidence and mortality worldwide: sources, methods and major patterns in GLOBOCAN 2012. Int J Cancer. 2015 Mar 1;136(5):E359-86. doi: 10.1002/ijc.29210. Epub 2014 Oct 9. PMID: 25220842.
  2. Oztürk Ozen D, Terzioglu F. The knowledge of young people studyıng at the unıversıty about human papılloma vırus ınfectıon. Journal of Samsun Health Sciences. 2023. doi:10.47115/jshs.1193444
  3. Hu Z, Ma D. The precision prevention and therapy of HPV-related cervical cancer: new concepts and clinical implications. Cancer Med. 2018 Oct;7(10):5217-5236. doi: 10.1002/cam4.1501. Epub 2018 Sep 14. PMID: 30589505; PMCID: PMC6198240.
  4. Somer A. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccines. Journal of ANKEM. 2009;23(Ek 2):96-101
  5. Cilli M, Kadıoğlu A. Genital Wart Guide. Turkish Urology Association.https://www.uroturk.org.tr/urolojiData/Books/825/genital-sigil-kilavuzu.pdf (2020). Accessed 7 May 2024
  6. Güner H, Taşkıran Ç. Epidemiology of cervical cancer and the role of human papilloma virus. Turkish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2007,4(1);11-19.
  7. Nalbantoğlu HG, Arslan P. Cervical cancer: An overview. Karatekin University Journal of Science. 2023, (1);43-50.
  8. Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Laversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021. doi:10.3322/caac.21660

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Immunology (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 1, 2026

Submission Date

April 9, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 31, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 43 Number: 1

APA
Yavuz, Z., & Arslan, H. N. (2026). Knowledge levels and vaccination status of intern doctors in a medical school about Human Papilloma Virus. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi, 43(1), 52-58. https://izlik.org/JA39ZE98XR
AMA
1.Yavuz Z, Arslan HN. Knowledge levels and vaccination status of intern doctors in a medical school about Human Papilloma Virus. J. Exp. Clin. Med. 2026;43(1):52-58. https://izlik.org/JA39ZE98XR
Chicago
Yavuz, Zahide, and Hatice Nilden Arslan. 2026. “Knowledge Levels and Vaccination Status of Intern Doctors in a Medical School about Human Papilloma Virus”. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 43 (1): 52-58. https://izlik.org/JA39ZE98XR.
EndNote
Yavuz Z, Arslan HN (April 1, 2026) Knowledge levels and vaccination status of intern doctors in a medical school about Human Papilloma Virus. Deneysel ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 43 1 52–58.
IEEE
[1]Z. Yavuz and H. N. Arslan, “Knowledge levels and vaccination status of intern doctors in a medical school about Human Papilloma Virus”, J. Exp. Clin. Med., vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 52–58, Apr. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA39ZE98XR
ISNAD
Yavuz, Zahide - Arslan, Hatice Nilden. “Knowledge Levels and Vaccination Status of Intern Doctors in a Medical School about Human Papilloma Virus”. Deneysel ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 43/1 (April 1, 2026): 52-58. https://izlik.org/JA39ZE98XR.
JAMA
1.Yavuz Z, Arslan HN. Knowledge levels and vaccination status of intern doctors in a medical school about Human Papilloma Virus. J. Exp. Clin. Med. 2026;43:52–58.
MLA
Yavuz, Zahide, and Hatice Nilden Arslan. “Knowledge Levels and Vaccination Status of Intern Doctors in a Medical School about Human Papilloma Virus”. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi, vol. 43, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 52-58, https://izlik.org/JA39ZE98XR.
Vancouver
1.Zahide Yavuz, Hatice Nilden Arslan. Knowledge levels and vaccination status of intern doctors in a medical school about Human Papilloma Virus. J. Exp. Clin. Med. [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 1;43(1):52-8. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA39ZE98XR