Community knowledge and attitude towards human papillomavirus and its vaccine in Al-Jouf Province, Saudi Arabia

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) with a global prevalence of 11.7%. HPV infection usually resolves without symptoms, however, 10% of cases suffer from cutaneous and mucocutaneous lesions such as warts or cervical cancer. In Saudi Arabia, cervical cancer ranks as the eighth most common cancer among Saudi women of all ages with marked fluctuations in the different regions. However, data from Al-Jouf Province remains uncertain. The current study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of the community towards HPV infection and its vaccine in Al-Jouf Provinces, Saudi Arabia. Methods: 300 participants enrolled in the study by answering a questionnaire on HPV and its vaccine. Results: most of the participants were females (86%), their ages ranged between 18 and 60 years old, and 50% of them were married. Regarding their awareness about HPV, only 29.2% of participants know that HPV is a sexually transmitted disease; more than 50% of them did not know that HPV infection can remain asymptomatic, 60.8% did not know the health problems associated with HPV, and 54.2% did not know how to prevent HPV infection. Concerning their attitude, > 40% of participants are willing to take the vaccine and encourage their families, and friends to be vaccinated. However, most of them are worried about the safety, and efficacy of the vaccine Conclusion: A large percentage of the youth do not have enough knowledge about HPV, mode of transmission, complications, and ways of protection from infection.