Evaluation of University Students’ Awareness and Knowledge of Human papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, HPV Vaccination, and HPV-Related Cancers

Mahdi Marzi; Ayşe Karacalı Tunç; Yunus Tunç; Şebnem Marzi

doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1808022

Evaluation of University Students’ Awareness and Knowledge of Human papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, HPV Vaccination, and HPV-Related Cancers

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection and a major cause of cervical and other cancers. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess university students’ knowledge of HPV infection, testing, vaccination, and HPV-related cancers across different regions of Türkiye. Data were collected from 1,856 students enrolled in associate, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs using a validated HPV Knowledge Scale. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlations. Overall, awareness of HPV (76.3%), HPV testing (70.1%), and HPV vaccination (77.5%) was relatively high, while only 11.3% of participants had been vaccinated. The mean total knowledge score was 13.19±8.64, indicating moderate knowledge. Higher scores were associated with female gender, higher education level, family history of cancer, and prior knowledge of sexually transmitted infections or cervical cancer (p<.05). Regional variations were observed, with the Aegean, Central Anatolia, and Marmara regions showing higher knowledge levels. A weak but significant positive correlation was found between age and knowledge (r=0.206, p<.001). The findings highlight persistent gaps in HPV vaccination and screening awareness among university students. Targeted educational interventions, particularly for male and non-health students, and national inclusion of HPV vaccination programs could strengthen preventive strategies against HPV-related cancers.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mahdi Marzi ^*
0000-0002-8518-0818
Türkiye

Ayşe Karacalı Tunç
0000-0002-6453-9887
Türkiye

Yunus Tunç
0000-0003-0762-9728
Türkiye

Şebnem Marzi
0009-0004-9237-5594
Türkiye

Publication Date

May 11, 2026

Submission Date

October 21, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 14, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 30 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1808022

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA95GD28RE

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Marzi, M., Karacalı Tunç, A., Tunç, Y., & Marzi, Ş. (2026). Evaluation of University Students’ Awareness and Knowledge of Human papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, HPV Vaccination, and HPV-Related Cancers. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 30(3), 975-984. https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1808022

AMA

1.Marzi M, Karacalı Tunç A, Tunç Y, Marzi Ş. Evaluation of University Students’ Awareness and Knowledge of Human papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, HPV Vaccination, and HPV-Related Cancers. J. Res. Pharm. 2026;30(3):975-984. doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1808022

Chicago

Marzi, Mahdi, Ayşe Karacalı Tunç, Yunus Tunç, and Şebnem Marzi. 2026. “Evaluation of University Students’ Awareness and Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, HPV Vaccination, and HPV-Related Cancers”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30 (3): 975-84. https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1808022.

EndNote

Marzi M, Karacalı Tunç A, Tunç Y, Marzi Ş (May 1, 2026) Evaluation of University Students’ Awareness and Knowledge of Human papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, HPV Vaccination, and HPV-Related Cancers. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30 3 975–984.

IEEE

[1]M. Marzi, A. Karacalı Tunç, Y. Tunç, and Ş. Marzi, “Evaluation of University Students’ Awareness and Knowledge of Human papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, HPV Vaccination, and HPV-Related Cancers”, J. Res. Pharm., vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 975–984, May 2026, doi: 10.12991/jrespharm.1808022.

ISNAD

Marzi, Mahdi - Karacalı Tunç, Ayşe - Tunç, Yunus - Marzi, Şebnem. “Evaluation of University Students’ Awareness and Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, HPV Vaccination, and HPV-Related Cancers”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30/3 (May 1, 2026): 975-984. https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1808022.

JAMA

1.Marzi M, Karacalı Tunç A, Tunç Y, Marzi Ş. Evaluation of University Students’ Awareness and Knowledge of Human papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, HPV Vaccination, and HPV-Related Cancers. J. Res. Pharm. 2026;30:975–984.

MLA

Marzi, Mahdi, et al. “Evaluation of University Students’ Awareness and Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, HPV Vaccination, and HPV-Related Cancers”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, vol. 30, no. 3, May 2026, pp. 975-84, doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1808022.

Vancouver

1.Mahdi Marzi, Ayşe Karacalı Tunç, Yunus Tunç, Şebnem Marzi. Evaluation of University Students’ Awareness and Knowledge of Human papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, HPV Vaccination, and HPV-Related Cancers. J. Res. Pharm. 2026 May 1;30(3):975-84. doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1808022