HJAR Jan/Feb 2024

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  JAN / FEB 2024 25 Number (Percent) Yes No HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection. 171 (94) 11 (6) Condoms are protective against contracting HPV. 143 (78.6) 39 (21.4) HPV infection can increase my risk for cancer. 159 (87.4) 23 (12.6) Anyone can contract HPV. 175 (96.2) 7 (3.8) HPV can be transmitted by both oral and penetrative sex. 167 (91.8) 15 (8.2) The majority of HPV infections have visible signs and symptoms. 65 (35.7) 117 (64.3) HPV infection can cause genital warts. 155 (85.2) 27 (14.8) The HPV vaccination protects against (choose all that apply): Cervical Cancer 135 (73.8) Vaginal Cancer 116 (63.4) Vulvar Cancer 80 (43.7) Penile Cancer 92 (50.3) Oral Cancer 83 (45.4) Anal Cancer 83 (45.4) Vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent disease. 180 (98.3) 2 (1.1) Getting the HPV vaccine can cause HPV infection. 21 (11.5) 161 (88.5) Only people who are sexually active should receive the HPV vaccine. 30 (16.5) 152 (83.5) Only females need to be vaccinated against HPV. 8 (4.4) 174 (95.6) I believe the HPV vaccine is harmful and/or unnecessary. 8 (4.4) 173 (95.6) I would like more information about the HPV vaccine. 61 (33.3) 121 (66.1) TABLE 2: RESPONSES TO SURVEY QUESTIONS ABOUT HPV KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEFS IN 18- TO 22-YEAR-OLDS. underestimates, the fact that a large propor- tion of participants did not know their vac- cination status, and therefore their risk for contracting HPV, is concerning. Knowledge about HPV infection, vacci- nation, and HPV-related cancers was vari- able (Table 2). With respect to infection, results were encouraging in that almost all participants were aware that HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection and that anyone can contract the virus. How- ever, 12.6% (N = 23) were not aware that HPV infection increases the risk for cancer, and 8.2% (N = 15) were not aware that HPV could be transmitted by both penetrative and oral sex. Most striking was that 35.5% (N = 65) believed that most HPV infections have visible signs and symptoms. In addi- tion, 78.6% (N = 143) agreed with the state- ment that condoms are protective against contracting HPV. When considering knowledge about the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine to prevent cancer, most were aware that the vaccine is protective for cervical cancer (N = 135, 73.8%) and vaginal cancer (N = 116, 63.4%). Fewer were aware that HPV vaccination also protects against vulvar (N = 80, 43.7%), penile (N = 92, 50.3%), oral (N = 83, 45.4%), and anal (N = 83, 45.4%) cancers. Regarding general knowledge and atti- tudes about the vaccine, results were encouraging in that almost every partici- pant agreed that the HPV vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent disease (N = 180, 98.3%) and disagreed that only females