# Assessment of knowledge and attitudes toward human papillomavirus and its vaccination among female nursing students at Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia

## TL;DR

This study examines the knowledge and attitudes of female nursing students in Saudi Arabia regarding HPV and its vaccination, finding moderate acceptance but significant gaps in knowledge.

## Contribution

The study provides culturally adapted insights into HPV knowledge and vaccination attitudes among Saudi nursing students.

## Key findings

- 49.4% of participants had poor knowledge about HPV.
- The mean attitude score indicated moderate acceptance of HPV vaccination.
- Living arrangement significantly influenced knowledge levels (p=0.025).

## Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in women worldwide. Due to the high prevalence, communities need to know that the risk of HPV infection can be prevented by HPV vaccination.

This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitudes of female nursing students at Umm Al-Qura University regarding HPV infection and HPV vaccination.

A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 261 female nursing students using a self-administered online questionnaire. Data were collected through the validated 28-item Knowledge and Attitudes Toward HPV and Its Vaccination for University Students Scale, which was adapted and culturally modified to align with the Saudi context. The instrument comprised three parts: demographic information, general knowledge, and attitudes toward HPV vaccination. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA to explore differences across demographic variables.

Of the 261 participants, 49.4% demonstrated poor knowledge, 47.1% moderate knowledge, and 3.4% high knowledge. The mean attitude score was 2.79 ± 0.87, indicating a moderate level of acceptance toward HPV vaccination. Although most participants recognized its preventive importance, barriers remained, primarily related to parental consent and communication. One-way ANOVA results showed no significant differences in knowledge based on academic year or parental education, whereas living arrangement demonstrated a significant effect (F = 2.826, p = 0.025, η2 = 0.042).

Nursing students had low to moderate knowledge of HPV and held a moderate level of acceptance toward the HPV vaccine highlighted the needs for targeted interventions and educational initiatives to enhance HPV vaccination uptake and promote overall well-being in the community.