Assessment of Knowledge regarding Prevention of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Infection among College girls in selected College, Chennai, Tamilnadu

Jismi Anna Jessan¹, Joecy Joseph², Johanna Joji³, Kalaivani S⁴, Kaviyarasi D⁵, Laisha Blessy J⁶, Madhubala M⁷, Arockia Jesi S⁸, AmuthaT⁹, Celina D¹⁰, Kanchana S.¹¹

^1-7B. Sc. Nursing III year students (2020-2024 Batch)

⁸Assistant Professor, Omayal Achi College of Nursing Affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

⁹Professor cum Head of the Department, Obstetrics and Gynaecological Nursing Dept., Omayal Achi College of Nursing affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

¹⁰Professor cum Vice Principal, Omayal Achi College of Nursing Affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

¹¹Professor cum Principal, Omayal Achi College of Nursing Affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R.

Medical University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: jesiblessing@gmail.com

ABSTRACT:

Background: Reproduction is an essential process for the survival of all living things. Reproductive health refers to a state of physical, mental and social well-being related to the reproductive system. There is a necessity to maintain reproductive health of the women during adolescent period by promoting healthy lifestyle practices and taking steps to protect younger people from health risk and prevention of health problems. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) seen in sexually active adolescents and young women. It can occur through intimate skin-to-skin contact. HPV infects epithelial cells (surface cells) on the oral or genital mucous membranes and parts of the skin such as the hands and feet. Any contact with those areas that contain the virus could lead to transmission. Early detection through screening and HPV vaccination presents a crucial opportunity, with a high cure rate when managed at early stages.
Aims and objective: To assess the level of knowledge regarding prevention of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection among college girls. Method and Materials: The study was conducted using a quantitative research approach with non experimental descriptive research design. Totally 60 college girls who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria at Omayal Achi College of Nursing, Chennai. Non probability purposive sampling technique was used. Self-administered structured knowledge questionnaire was used to collect the data.
Result: The study findings revealed that none of them had adequate level of knowledge, 53.33% of the college girls had moderately adequate level of knowledge and 46.67% of them had inadequate level of knowledge. Chi-square shows that age, family monthly income, residential area and duration of menstruation were significantly associated with the level of knowledge score. Conclusion: The study findings concluded that most of the college girls were having inadequate level of knowledge regarding prevention of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection. Thus the study recommended that there is a need to improve the knowledge and awareness about reproductive health.

KEYWORDS: Reproductive health, Sexual Transmitted Infections, Human Papilloma Virus, College girls.

INTRODUCTION:

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in sexually active adolescents and young women. It can occur through intimate skin-to-skin contact. HPV infects epithelial cells (surface cells) on the oral or genital mucous membranes and parts of the skin such as the hands and feet. Any contact with those areas that contain the virus could lead to transmission. Particularly, college girls who are in their late adolescence and young adulthood can have highest risk of HPV infections.

HPV infections have been shown to be significantly associated with many adverse effects in reproductive function. HPV has been linked to both cervical cancer, reproductive health issues, infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm rupture of membranes, spontaneous preterm birth and a potentially increased rate of early pregnancy loss.

Given the wide impact of the virus on human health, vaccination to the adolescent girls will be a vital role for reduction of disease burden among women in future. The effective tool for the prevention of HPV infection mainly includes HPV vaccination and screening services. Regular screenings can help to diagnose HPV-related health problems earlier. This can improve outlook and increase the chances of survival.

Aisha Babi., et al., (2023) conducted a descriptive study to assess the knowledge regarding prevention of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection among adolescent girls in Kazakhstan. Totally 141adolescent girls were selected by using purposive sampling technique. Self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The study findings revealed that 18% of them had adequate level of knowledge, 21% of them had moderate level of knowledge and 61% of them inadequate level of knowledge. The study findings concluded that the level of knowledge was found to be low about Human Papilloma Virus vaccination and also comprehensive, adequate information and education campaigns are required.

Hillary Mabeya., Jack Odunga., & Davy Vanden Broeck (2021) conducted a descriptive cross sectional study to assess the knowledge regarding prevention of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection among adolescent girls in Western Kenya. Totally 300 adolescent girls were selected by using purposive sampling technique. Structured interview questionnaires were used to assess the knowledge about HPV vaccination among adolescent girls.

The findings of the study revealed that The study findings concluded that low awareness of HPV vaccination were found among Hence, there is a need for awareness and policy is necessary to decrease the cervical cancer through HPV vaccination awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine prevention is low among mothers of adolescent girls.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

A descriptive study to assess the level of knowledge regarding prevention of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection among college girls at selected setting.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To assess the level of knowledge regarding prevention of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection among college girls.

2. To associate the selected background variables with the level of knowledge regarding prevention of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection among college girls.

NULL HYPOTHESIS:

NH1:

There is no significant association of selected background variables with the level of knowledge regarding prevention of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection among college girls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A quantitative research approach with non-experimental descriptive research design was adopted to accomplish the aims of this study. The study was conducted at Omayal Achi College of Nursing in Chennai with 60 college girls who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, chosen as samples of the study using a non-probability purposive sampling technique.

The samples were selected based on the following:

Inclusion criteria:

College girls who are

· B.Sc Nursing 1^st semester

· Between 17-19 years of age

· Attained menarche

Exclusion criteria:

College girls who

· Already attended the same or similar type study.

· Have visual, hearing and mental impairment.

Development and description of the tool:

The tool constructed for the study was divided into two section:

Section A: Background variables which included age, religion, educational status, type of family, family monthly income, residential area, diet pattern, source of information, age at menarche, duration, regularity and nature of bleeding.

Section B: Structured knowledge questionnaire which included the dimensions:

S. No.	Dimensions	Number of Items
1.	General information	6
2.	Risk factor	1
3.	Signs and symptoms	4
4.	Diagnosis	2
5.	Prevention	12
Total		25

Scoring Key:

Each item was an objective type and closed ended with a single correct answer. Each correct answer carries “1” and wrong answer carries “0” mark. The total score of the tool was ‘25’. The raw score was converted to percentage to interpret the level of knowledge.

Scoring Interpretation:

Score in percentage	Level of knowledge
≤50%	Inadequate
51-75%	Moderately adequate
≥ 75%	Adequate

Data collection procedure:

The study was conducted at Omayal Achi College of Nursing, Chennai after obtaining formal permission from the Principal, Omayal Achi College of Nursing. The study was conducted for a period of 1 week. A total of 60 college girls who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected by using non probability purposive sampling technique. The investigator gave brief introduction about self and purpose of the study to the college girls. They were made to sit comfortably in a well-ventilated room and informed verbal and written consent were obtained from the participants about their willingness to participate in the study. The data was collected by using self-administered structured knowledge questionnaire to assess the knowledge among college girls about 20-30 minutes. The confidentiality regarding the data was assured to win their cooperation during data collection.

Ethical consideration:

The ethical aspects of research were maintained throughout the study by obtaining an ethical clearance certificate from ICCR and formal permission from the Principal of the college. Confidentiality was maintained throughout the data collection period and the collected data was used only for research purposes.

Statistical methods:

The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage distribution and inferential statistics such as Chi-Square test to associate the knowledge level with selected background variables.

RESULTS:

Description of demographic variables of college girls

Considering the description of demographic variables, most of the college girls 41(68.33%) were17 years of age, 29(48.33%) belongs to Hindu, all 60(100.00%) of them were B.Sc Nursing 1^st semester, 47(78.33%) of them were living in a nuclear family, 24(40.00%) of them had family monthly income above Rs.10000 per month, 30(50.00%) of them were residing in both urban and rural area, 53(88.33%) of them were non-vegetarian and 34(56.67%) of them received information regarding Human Papilloma Virus infection through family members.

Description of obstetrical variables of college girls:

Most of the college girls, 49(81.67%) of them attained menarche between 10-15 years of age, 39(65.00%) of them had menstruation for 3-4 days, 53(88.33%) of them had regular menstrual cycle and 53(88.33%) of them had normal menstrual flow.

Level of knowledge on the prevention of Human Papilloma Virus:

Most of the college girls (53.33%) had moderately adequate level of knowledge and the remaining (46.67%) of them had inadequate level of knowledge about the prevention of Human Papilloma Virus.

Figure 1: Percentage distribution of level of knowledge regarding prevention of Human Papilloma Virus infection among college girls N = 60

The above figure 1 revealed that none of them had adequate level of knowledge, 32(53.33%) of the college girls had moderately adequate level of knowledge and 28(46.67%) of them had inadequate level of knowledge.

Association of selected background variables with the level of knowledge regarding the prevention of Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection among college girls N = 60

The figure 2 revealed that association of selected background variables with the level of knowledge. The finding shows that age, family monthly income, residential area and duration of menstruation were significantly associated with the level of knowledge score.

DISCUSSION:

Most of the college girls (53.33%) had moderately adequate knowledge and the remaining (46.67%) had inadequate level of knowledge about the prevention of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection. The study findings were supported by descriptive study conducted by Keshni (2019) to assess the knowledge regarding prevention of Human Papilloma Virus among college girls in Punjab which revealed that 5% of them had adequate level of knowledge, 46% of them had moderately adequate level of knowledge and 49% of them had inadequate level of knowledge.

There was a statistically significant association was found in demographic variables like age, family monthly income, residential area and duration of menstruation with the level of knowledge regarding prevention of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection among college girls.

The study findings were supported by El Mansouri N et al., (2021) conducted a cross sectional study to assess the knowledge regarding prevention of Human Papilloma Virus infection among university students in Morocco, North Africa. The study findings revealed that there was a statistically significant association was found in demographic variable like age, education and residential area among university students.

CONCLUSION:

The study findings showed that most of the college girls had inadequate level of knowledge regarding the prevention of Human Papilloma Virus infection. Hence, the study recommended that there is a need to improve the knowledge regarding prevention of HPV infection. This information can be used by Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator and Nurse Administrator to create regular education and voluntary programs in the hospitals and health centers to improve the knowledge regarding prevention of Human Papilloma Virus infection among college girls.

NURSING IMPLICATIONS:

The midwives should possess professional responsibility in educating the college girls regarding the prevention of HPV infection that encompass teaching, counseling and clinical roles. The Nurse administrator can create awareness by conducting mass awareness programme on prevention of Human Papilloma Virus infection through vaccination measures.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

The investigators are very thankful to:

· The Principal of Omayal Achi College of Nursing for granting permission to carry out the study.

· The Executive Committee Members of the International Centre for Collaborative Research (ICCR) for their expert guidance and motivation.

· The study participants who extended their cooperation in the data collection process of the study.

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Received on 28.10.2025 Revised on 20.11.2025

Accepted on 04.12.2025 Published on 30.04.2026

Available online from May 02, 2026

Int. J. Nursing Education and Research. 2026;14(2):136-140.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2660.2026.00027

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