Resumo

OKAMOTO, Cristina Terumi et al. Profile of Knowledge on HPV and its Prevention among Students at a Private University in Curitiba. Rev. Bras. Educ. Med. [online]. 2016, vol.40, n.4, pp.611-620. ISSN 1981-5271.  https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-52712015v40n4e00532015.

HPV (human papillomavirus) is the world’s most common sexually transmitted disease among people who are sexually active, with 50% of new cases occurring in the first three years after the onset of sexual activity. Infection with this virus is the main alteration required for the occurrence of cervical cancer. This study aims to evaluate the academic level of knowledge among students at a private university in Curitiba, using questionnaires on nursing, dentistry and medicine courses. By means of a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study, prospective data was collected through a questionnaire given to students at the Universidade Positivo in Curitiba from June to August, 2014. 527 questionnaires were given to students, with 29.5% (N = 155) of respondents male and 70.4% (N = 369) female, and a mean age of 21.85 years (SD = 4.38). The number of correct answers was higher in medical school in nearly all questions. In terms of preventing HPV, most students knew how HPV is transmitted, with 56.6% (N = 272) correctly quoting more than one preventive method and 41.3% (N = 212) reporting that the vaccine is the most effective preventive method. In terms of knowledge of situations that increase the risk of transmission, most students felt that multiple partners represented a greater risk than not using condoms. Although 86.4% (N = 434) stated that they have heard of HPV, 76.8% (N = 398) reported that HPV may have symptoms and only 13% (N = 69) knew the long-term effects. Of all sexually active students, 75.57% (N = 396) used contraceptive methods, with the oral contraceptive used by 61% (N = 137), followed by the male condom with 33% (N = 73). 63% (N = 193) of sexually active female students with a regular partner conducted annual visits to their gynecologist, and of these, 14% (N = 44) never used prevention. The students scored above the expected average on most issues.

Palavras-chave : Papillomaviridae; Students; Vaccine; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Knowledge; Medical Education.

        · resumo em Português     · texto em Português     · Português ( pdf )