Assessment of Knowledge and Perception Regarding Human Papillomavirus Vaccine and Genital Warts among First Year Medical Undergraduates: A Questionnaire Based Study

Abstract Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) remains one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections globally and is responsible for a significant burden of diseases including cervical cancer and genital warts. Although prophylactic HPV vaccination has proven effective in reducing disease incidence, awareness and acceptance remain suboptimal, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Medical students, as future healthcare providers, play a critical role in influencing community health behavior; therefore, assessing their baseline understanding of HPV is essential. Aims and objectives: 1. To assess the knowledge and perception regarding HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS infection, HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS vaccine, and genital warts among first-year medical undergraduates. 2. To evaluate awareness and understanding of HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS infection and its association with genital warts. 3. To assess the knowledge of HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS vaccination, its schedule, and preventive role in genital warts and cervical cancer. Materials & Methods: Questionnaire-based study was conducted under the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy among first-year undergraduate medical students of the A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore, between December 2025 and January 2026. Approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee prior to commencement of the study, and written informed consent was secured from all participants or their legal guardians. Results: Of the participants, 72.2% had heard of HPV, yet only 58.9% recognized sexual transmission as the primary mode, and 52.3% identified HPV as a cause of cervical cancer. Awareness that HPV affects both sexes was reported by 46.4%, while only 31.1% linked genital warts to HPV. Knowledge of vaccination was also limited—61.6% had heard of the vaccine, but only 21.2% correctly identified the recommended vaccination age. Female students demonstrated significantly higher knowledge and greater willingness to receive the vaccine compared to males (p<0.05). Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that although first-year medical undergraduates had moderate awareness of HPV, substantial gaps persist in understanding its transmission, clinical manifestations—particularly genital warts—and prevention through vaccination. Knowledge regarding male susceptibility and the recommended age for HPV vaccination was notably poor. Female students showed higher knowledge levels and greater willingness to accept vaccination, reflecting gender-based differences in health awareness and preventive attitudes. As medical students are future healthcare providers, inadequate knowledge at this stage may limit effective patient counselling and public health advocacy. Strengthening undergraduate curricula through structured teaching modules, focused workshops, and early exposure to STI prevention is essential to bridge these gaps and support long-term HPV control and cervical cancer prevention efforts.