AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightThese findings suggest that educational interventions should address persistent knowledge gaps together with economic and risk-perception barriers that may influence HPV vaccine acceptance.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate changes in human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge, attitudes toward HPV vaccination, and vaccination intentions following a structured HPV educational intervention among medical students. Methods: This single-group, uncontrolled pretest-posttest study was conducted among 312 medical students in years 1-5 at Balıkesir University Faculty of Medicine between February and June 2026. HPV knowledge was assessed using the validated Turkish 33-item HPV Knowledge Scale (HPV-KS). Attitudes toward HPV vaccination were evaluated using a 20-item Likert-type section, and vaccination intentions were assessed using matched pre- and post-intervention questions. Participants received a standardized face-to-face HPV educational intervention between the pretest and posttest assessments. Results: The total HPV-KS score increased from 19.37±5.89 to 23.57±4.08 (mean change, 4.20; 95% CI, 3.70-4.70; p<0.001). The composite attitude score increased more modestly from 66.98±6.54 to 67.75±6.87 (p=0.001). Among unvaccinated students, personal vaccination intention increased from 68.2% to 82.8% (p<0.001), while intention to receive the vaccine if provided free of charge increased from 77.6% to 83.3% (p=0.005). The most frequently reported post-intervention barriers were cost or exclusion from the routine immunization program (48.0%) and perceived absence of risky behavior (37.2%). Conclusion: Structured HPV education was associated with a marked improvement in HPV knowledge and favorable changes in vaccination intentions among medical students, whereas changes in attitudes were limited. These findings suggest that educational interventions should address persistent knowledge gaps together with economic and risk-perception barriers that may influence HPV vaccine acceptance.