Understanding HPV and the future implications of contracting the virus.

Purpose: To determine the level of knowledge university freshmen have of the human papillomavirus (HPV), including awareness of the virus, the associated risks, and prevention.

Methods: A multiple-choice questionnaire was sent electronically to all freshman-level students registered at Texas State University. One-way ANOVA and Spearman correlation coefficients were run to identify significant differences in knowledge levels between sex, age, and ethnicity.

Results: Statistical analyses identified no strong differentiation of knowledge about HPV among students. This indicated that increased education on the subject of HPV was needed by all of the students without regard to sex, ethnicity, age, or self-identified history of HPV education.

Discussion: Knowledge level of HPV risks, prevention, transmission, and progression seemed high in some areas and low in others. Most students understand that cervical cancer is a risk associated with HPV; however, many students were unaware that head and neck, anal, and penile cancer also are associated with infection. Knowledge levels seem to be consistent among students of both genders and various ethnicities.

Conclusion: Student knowledge of HPV has increased since the introduction of the HPV vaccine and related media coverage, although knowledge on the subject is still low and often inaccurate. Because college-aged students are at a higher risk of contracting the virus, educational measures must be taken to ensure all students are aware of the risks and are better prepared to protect themselves.