141st APHA Annual Meeting

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Knowledge of human papilloma virus (HPV) in first year medical students from san juan bautista school of medicine, caguas, Puerto Rico during second semester, 2013: A pilot study

Monday, November 4, 2013

Karen Otero-Falcón, MD , Master Program in Public Health, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, PR
Carl López-Candelario, BS , Master Program in Public Health, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, PR
Dánica Ortiz-Ortiz, BS , Master Program in Public Health, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, PR
Eileen Santos-Nieves, BS , Master Program in Public Health, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, PR
Melissa Torres-Fuentes, BSN, RN , Master Program in Public Health, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, PR
Ivis Figueroa-Sanchez, Dr.PH , Master Program in Public Health, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, PR
Geronimo Maldonado-Martinez, PhD(c) , Master Program in Public Health, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, PR
Introduction: Human papilloma Virus (HPV) infection represents a public health concern because of its empirical-proved association with certain types of cancer including cervical. HPV infections affect mostly young adults including college aged populations. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge regarding HPV among medical students, a group who will eventually educate patients about this and other diseases.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to first year, medical students from San Juan Bautista, School of Medicine in Caguas Puerto Rico, during the second semester of academic year 2013. A knowledge questionnaire was used based on the guidelines of Jiménez-Herrera (2006). Index was developed using a numerical value scale based on the sum of the affirmative answers of the questionnaire ranging from 0-1 (low), 2-3 (moderate) and 4-5 (higher) knowledge. Descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS version 17.0.

Results: A total sample of 53 students was surveyed. 55% (n= 29) were men and 45% (n=24) were women. Age ranged from 21 to 24 years (58.8%). The main sources of HPV information were college (28.3%) and the news (20.8%). The index showed that 34% of the students had moderate knowledge about the HPV infection.

Discussion: Our results are consistent with previous research demonstrated knowledge deficiencies about HPV among college students. This trait encompasses serious health implications particularly among medical students because of the lack of accuracy to educate their patients about this infection. Intervention strategies and educational efforts to increase knowledge in this group are recommended.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related education
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Assess knowledge about Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) among young aged college students.

Keywords: STD, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am one of the research students of the project for this abstract for Field Work Course at San Juan Bautista School of Medicine at Caguas, Puerto Rico. Also I am a doctor in medicine and I am related with topics about sexual transmitted diseases.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3306.0: Exploring HPV