KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES AMONGST FEMALE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN VIETNAM: A CROSSSECTIONAL STUDY ON HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINATION

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the knowledge, attitudes and practices of female
public university students in relation to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Data were
collected through questionnaire administration and face-to-face interviews. On the basis of the
findings, most of the students had high knowledge regarding the aetiology of HPV but exhibited a
minimal understanding of HPV epidemiology. With regard to the attitudes of the participants
towards HPV vaccination, the correlation between HPV infection and the incidence and prevalence
of cervical cancer played a leading role in the increasing acceptance of the vaccine. Barriers to HPV
vaccination in Vietnam included the lack of adequate education (and, hence, knowledge) about the
efficacy of the vaccine, poor communication regarding sexuality, organisational influence and the
perception that the HPV vaccine promotes sexual activity. Other obstacles were apprehension over
the efficacy and safety of the vaccine (amongst the participants and service providers), problems
concerning reimbursement and the perceivably high cost of the vaccine. These results pointed to the
following needs in the Vietnamese context: the implementation of educational initiatives,
reassurance from healthcare providers and practitioners or community health workers, nurses and
doctors regarding the low likelihood of adverse effects from the HPV vaccine and the espousal of a
holistic approach by which to eliminate barriers to community discussions of sexually transmitted
diseases and sexuality.