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Cervical Cancer Prevention in Malaysia: Knowledge and Attitude of Undergraduate Pharmacy Students Towards Human Papillomavirus Infection, Screening and Vaccination in Malaysia

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Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate knowledge of undergraduate pharmacy students about human papillomavirus infection and their attitude towards its prevention. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 270 undergraduate pharmacy students using a validated questionnaire to assess knowledge about human papillomavirus infection and cervical cancer and their attitudes towards human papillomavirus vaccines. Eighty-one percent of the respondents knew that human papillomavirus is a cause of cervical cancer, and 87.8 % knew that this infection is preventable. The gender of the respondents showed the strongest correlations with human papillomavirus knowledge. There were no significant correlations between the ethnic group of the respondents and their human papillomavirus-related knowledge. Higher perceptions of risk were associated with relationship status, and respondents who were in a relationship showed greater interest in vaccinating themselves; relationship status emerged as a unique predictor. The results indicated a moderately high level of knowledge and positive attitude towards human papillomavirus vaccination with few disagreements. The results of this study will help to develop and plan appropriate education campaigns for pharmacy students that aim to reduce human papillomavirus infection and, consequently, the incidence of and mortality caused by cervical cancer in Malaysia.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Institute for Research, Development & Innovation, International Medical University, Malaysia. We thank Professor Brian Furman, University of Strathclyde, for his comments that greatly improved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Mari Kannan Maharajan, Kingston Rajiah & Lai Yun Lui

  2. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Kelly Num Sze Fang

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  1. Mari Kannan Maharajan
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  2. Kingston Rajiah
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  3. Kelly Num Sze Fang
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  4. Lai Yun Lui
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Correspondence to Mari Kannan Maharajan.

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Maharajan, M.K., Rajiah, K., Sze Fang, K.N. et al. Cervical Cancer Prevention in Malaysia: Knowledge and Attitude of Undergraduate Pharmacy Students Towards Human Papillomavirus Infection, Screening and Vaccination in Malaysia. J Canc Educ 32, 166–174 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-015-0957-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-015-0957-2

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