Attitudes Affecting the Potential Use of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination: A Survey of Health Promotion Students in Mexico City

Our aim was to explore the knowledge and attitudes of Mexican college students towards human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. We conducted a written questionnaire survey of a group of male and female undergraduate students in Health Promotion at the Autonomous University of Mexico City. A total of 163 subjects (40 males and 123 females, median age 24 years) took part. Only 13 % identified the risks factors of cervical cancer and 32 % knew the diseases caused by HPV. Females had a better knowledge than males on matters related to HPV vaccine. Seventy percent (110 of 157) of the respondents completely agreed on the importance of including protection against genital warts in the vaccine. Eighty-eight percent (141/161) of subjects would have accepted receiving the vaccine, but 8 % (13/161) were ambivalent. There was a strong desire in this group of young adults who are not yet included in the current vaccination programs to receive the HPV vaccine, preferably the quadrivalent one. In conclusion, attitudes towards vaccination could be complex and opposed.