Knowledge and Prevention Practices of Human Papillomavirus in Promoting Public Health Education among Undergraduate Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Abstract

This study investigated the knowledge and prevention of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in Promoting Public Health Education among Undergraduate Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. A descriptive survey design was employed for the study. The population comprised of 48, 271 students in Nnamdi Azikiwe University. The sample size comprised of 450 students selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. Three research questions guided the study, and an Instrument titled "Knowledge and Prevention of HPV in Promoting Public Health Education among Undergraduate Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University” was used for the study. An 18- item structured questionnaire was used for this study. Kuder-Richardson  was the statistic used to measure the internal consistency of the instrument. The result yielded the coefficient of 0.89. Data obtained were analyzed using frequency and percentage. The major findings show that undergraduates have a moderate knowledge of HPV, which is the gap that needs to be filled in this research, because adequate knowledge of HPV can reduce the prevalence of the infection. Another major finding was that students have a poor knowledge of the health implications of HPV as well as its preventive strategies. Implications of the findings were indicated, that students should refrain from smoking since it raises the risk of cervical cancer. They should undergo a pap test every three years for women aged 21 to 29 and every five years with HPV co-testing for women between 30 and 65. HPV Vaccination is recommended  for boys and girls aged 11and 12 years.