Awareness, acceptance and hesitancy regarding human papilloma virus vaccine among nursing students of a rural medical college of Maharashtra
Abstract: Introduction: Human papillomavirus causes many diseases like genital warts, sexual transmitted diseases; cervical cancer. Human papilloma virus vaccine is available for adolescent girls. Though it is effective its use has not increased. Therefore, the current study is designed to determine the awareness, acceptance and hesitancy among nursing students.
Results: Out of 180 students, study carried among 169 those who gave consent and presented at time of study. Among them 27% were 15- 20 years of age group and 73% were in the age group 20-25 years. Most of them belongs to middle (43.7%) and upper middle (36.6%) socioeconomic class. Out of total participants 22.5% were males and 77.5 %were females. 7.7% were married and 92.3% were unmarried. 27.8% were heard about HPV and HPV vaccine.
Conclusion: This study has indicated that very few participants were aware about HPV vaccine. Hesitancy can be reduced by providing proper knowledge about safety and side effects of HPV vaccine.