Knowledge about human papillomavirus among nursing students at Universidad del Norte, Itauguá, Paraguay
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22819746Keywords:
human papillomavirus, knowledge, nursing students, prevention, papillomavirus vaccinesAbstract
Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most frequent sexually transmitted infection worldwide; certain high-risk types cause most cervical cancers. The aim was to determine knowledge about HPV infection among nursing students at Universidad del Norte, Itauguá Community Campus.
Materials and methods: Descriptive, non-experimental quantitative study in a convenience sample of 45 students, using a structured closed-response questionnaire.
Results: The main information source was professional teaching institutes (53%). Knowledge was high regarding infection in both sexes (91%), vaccination (87%), high-risk types and cervical cancer (91%), and genital warts (98%). Gaps: 78% overestimated total condom protection and 40% believed a high-risk type automatically leads to cancer.
Conclusions: There is solid knowledge of general HPV aspects, with gaps regarding condom limits and the high-risk infection–cancer relationship, supporting reinforcement of these contents in the curriculum.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Fany Beatriz Benítez Bogado, Gustavo Javier Vallejos Martínez (Autor/a)
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