Knowledge and Health Beliefs Regarding Human Papilloma Virus Infection and Vaccination Among Nursing and Midwifery Students

This study aimed to determine the knowledge and health beliefs of the nursing and midwifery students regarding human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and vaccination. This descriptive and correlational study was administered with 837 students. "Participant Identification Form," "HPV Knowledge Scale," and "Health Belief Model Scale for HPV and its Vaccination (HBMS-HPVV)" were used to collect the data. The mean HPV Knowledge Scale score of the students were 4.2 (SD = 2.9). The mean scores of perceived susceptibility, severity, benefit, and barrier subdimensions of the HBMS-HPVV were 2.5 (SD = 0.8), 2.7 (SD = 0.8), 2.5 (SD = 0.7), and 2.3 (SD = 0.6), respectively. A positive statistically significant relationship was found between the students' scores on the perceived severity, susceptibility, and benefits subdimensions of the HBMS-HPVV and the total HPV Knowledge Scale score while there is a negative statistically significant relationship between the barriers subdimensions of the HBMS-HPVV (p < 0.001). It was determined that the mean knowledge level of the students within the scope of the study regarding HPV infection and vaccination was low. However, as students' knowledge level regarding HPV infection and vaccination increased, their health beliefs strengthened.