Knowledge differences between male and female university students about human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer: Implications for health strategies and vaccination

Knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer (CC) depends on several factors such as gender and education, which brings implications for health strategies and vaccination. A survey was conducted in Portugal with a representative sample of 1706 university students. Only 55.4% (n = 945) had already heard of HPV, although 88.3% (n = 834) from that know that is a risk factor for CC. 89% students (n = 841) wants to be vaccinated against it, but only 13.8% stated as main reason to be vaccinated “prevention of the disease”. Mean scores of knowledge were calculated. Statistical differences were found, regarding “CC knowledge”, in gender (p < 0.001) and between health sciences schools and non-health sciences schools (p < 0.001). Differences regarding the study area in “knowledge and beliefs of HPV” (p < 0.001) and in “relation between HPV and CC” (p < 0.001) were found. Therefore, these differences may help to develop effective strategies that lead to decline CC incidence and mortality.