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HPV Infection Awareness and Self-Reported HPV Vaccination Coverage in Female Adolescent Students in Two German Cities

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Abstract

Low levels of human papillomavirus (HPV) awareness and knowledge have been observed in the few studies conducted among school-going adolescents. Such data are lacking in Germany. To assess awareness of HPV and of vaccination status among girls attending grades 8–13 in Bremen and Bremerhaven, two German cities. Participants completed a questionnaire in school including questions on demographic characteristics, about HPV awareness and on vaccination status. We analysed the relationship between awareness of HPV, of vaccination status and vaccine uptake and several variables including age and migrant background using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Six hundred and thirty-two girls aged 12–20 years completed the questionnaire. 50 % had no awareness of HPV, 12 % reported being vaccinated against HPV and 57 % did not know whether or not they were vaccinated against HPV. In multivariate analyses, ever had sex was associated with awareness of HPV, and ever been to a gynaecologist with awareness of vaccination status. Our results may be an indication that female adolescents in Germany are not adequately informed and counselled about HPV and associated issues.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Beate Schütte, Svea Eichholz, Sinja Ernst, Stefanie Helmer, Kathi Liegmann, Natalya Makarova, Anna Muschalek, Julia Nürnberg, Saskia Pöttgen and Sandra Wegeng for their support during the conduction of the survey in the schools. We especially thank the 8 schools in which we conducted the survey for their co-operation.

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Correspondence to F. Samkange-Zeeb.

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Samkange-Zeeb, F., Spallek, L., Klug, S.J. et al. HPV Infection Awareness and Self-Reported HPV Vaccination Coverage in Female Adolescent Students in Two German Cities. J Community Health 37, 1151–1156 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-012-9589-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-012-9589-1

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