HPV vaccine uptake, HPV infection and vaccination related knowledge and health beliefs among health sciences students in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu: An analytical cross-sectional study

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, a prevalent sexually transmitted infection, is the leading cause of cervical cancer. However, it is preventable. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of HPV vaccine uptake among health sciences students in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu; and to determine the levels of knowledge and health beliefs regarding HPV infection and vaccination. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted among health sciences students in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu between November 2022, and January 2023. Results: A total of 1139 participants of mean (SD) age 19.5 years (1.5) were enrolled. More than two thirds were females (68.1%). The prevalence of HPV vaccine uptake was 5.0%; of which 87.6% were recommended by doctors. Of the 1082 participants who had not taken HPV vaccine, 35.8% were willing to take if provided free of cost. Only 4.8% participants had adequate overall knowledge regarding HPV infection and vaccination; with 9.8% having adequate general HPV knowledge, 29.3% having adequate HPV vaccine knowledge, 4.0% having adequate HPV testing, and 4.0% having adequate HPV vaccine availability knowledge. One in five (19.4%) participants had favourable/appropriate health beliefs regarding HPV infection and its vaccination – with 43.5% having perceived benefits, 39.5% having perceived sensitivity, 34.6% having perceived severity, and 19.8% having perceived obstacles. The overall HPV – Knowledge scale scores (HPV-KS) and overall HPV infection and vaccine health belief model scale (HBMS-HPVV) scores had a significant positive correlation (r=0.251; p=<0.001). Participants with employed mothers, from upper socioeconomic status, with history of HPV vaccination in the family, and uptake of HPV vaccine for self were associated with significantly higher overall HPV-KS scores. Similarly, overall HBMS-HPVV scores were significantly higher among participants from urban family residence, with literate mothers, and from upper socioeconomic status. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of multifaceted interventions that address knowledge gaps, dispel myths or misconceptions, and tailor messaging to resonate with diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.