EVALUAREA NIVELULUI DE CUNOŞTINŢE AL STUDENŢILOR MEDICINIŞTI DESPRE HPV

Abstract

Introducere. Virusul Papiloma Uman (HPV) este una dintre cele mai frecvente infecţii cu transmitere sexuală la nivel global. Vaccinurile disponibile oferă protecţie împotriva tulpinilor oncogene, dar ratele scăzute de vaccinare limitează impactul prevenirii asupra sănătăţii publice. Scop. Evaluarea nivelului de cunoştinţe al studenţilor medicinişti despre HPV, pentru a identifica lacune şi concepţii care pot afecta consilierea pacienţilor. Material şi metode. Studiul a fost transversal şi a constat în aplicarea unui chestionar auto-administrat studenţilor la medicină. Scorul total, maxim 14 puncte, a cuprins sub-scoruri privind infecţia HPV (6 itemi), cancerul de col uterin (4 itemi) şi vaccinul HPV (4 itemi). Analiza a inclus ANOVA şi regresia logistică pentru identificarea predictorilor unui scor >13. Rezultate. Au participat 246 studenţi (82,1% femei, media de vârstă 21,5 ani). 98,4% dintre participanţi cunoşteau HPV, preponderent din cadrul cursurilor universitare, scorul mediu fiind 12,1 din 14. 94,7% ştiau că HPV se transmite sexual, 97,2% că este cauza principală a cancerului de col uterin, iar 98% că poate fi prevenit prin vaccinare. Totuşi, doar 61,4% ştiau că majoritatea persoanelor active sexual vor contacta HPV, iar 75,2% că vaccinarea este recomandată şi pentru bărbaţi. Regresia logistică a arătat că un an de studiu suplimentar creşte semnificativ şansele unui scor ridicat de cunoştinţe (OR ~ 1,20; p=0,025). Concluzii. Rezultatele indică necesitatea consolidării educaţiei medicale privind HPV. Îmbunătăţirea instruirii poate creşte consilierea corectă, acceptarea vaccinării şi, pe termen lung, reduce incidenţa cancerelor asociate HPV.

Introduction. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Available vaccines provide protection against oncogenic strains, but low vaccination rates limit the impact of prevention on public health. Objective. Assessment of medical students’ knowledge about HPV to identify gaps and misconceptions that may affect patient counseling. Material and methods. The study was cross-sectional and involved administering a self-administered questionnaire to medical students. The total score, maximum 14 points, included subscores on HPV infection (6 items), cervical cancer (4 items), and HPV vaccination (4 items). Analysis included ANOVA and logistic regression to identify predictors of a score >13. Results. A total of 246 students participated (82.1% female, average age 21.5 years). 98.4% were aware of HPV, mainly from university courses, with an average knowledge score of 12.1 out of 14. About 94.7% knew that HPV is sexually transmitted, 97.2% that it is the main cause of cervical cancer, and 98% that it can be prevented through vaccination. However, only 61.4% knew that most sexually active individuals will contract HPV, and 75.2% knew that vaccination is also recommended for men. Logistic regression showed that each additional year of study significantly increased the likelihood of a high knowledge score (OR ~ 1.20; p = 0.025). Conclusion. The results indicate the need to strengthen medical education on HPV. Improving training can enhance accurate counseling, increase vaccine acceptance, and, in the long term, reduce the incidence of HPV-related cancers.