Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre el virus del papiloma humano en estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad de Cuenca. 2020-2021

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Worldwide, research on the pathogenesis of the human papilloma virus (HPV) and its relationship with different cancers has been increasing, however, in Latin America the lack of adequate education and knowledge about this disease has caused a high mortality in recent years. Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the students of the Medicine Career of the University of Cuenca about HPV. Method: A descriptive study with a universe made up of 1161 students of the Medicine School of the University of Cuenca. A survey was applied virtually through Google Forms. The data were processed using the Microsoft Excel 2016 program and SPSS version 25.0 using measures of absolute frequency and relative frequency, which are presented in tables with their interpretation. Results: the predominant age of the participants was between 21 and 25 years; Regarding the knowledge that the interviewed students have, 78% said they had received information about HPV, 85.1 knew that it was HPV, and 70.2% said that it affects men more. 84.4% reported that HPV causes complications. Conclusions: Regarding knowledge about HPV, a large proportion said they had received information about HPV; Regarding attitudes, around half of the students reported having an active sexual life, and a quarter said they had received the HPV vaccine. Regarding practices, around half said they use a condom during sexual intercourse.