Disease and Health Research: Recent Developments Vol. 1

Background: Human papillomavirus vaccination is an important preventive strategy for reducing HPV-related diseases, including cancers affecting both females and males. Although vaccination programmes have traditionally focused more on girls, awareness and perception among adolescent boys are also important for improving acceptance of HPV vaccination and strengthening public health prevention strategies.

Objective: This study assessed perceptions of HPV vaccination among pre-university boys in Kolar Taluk.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 pre-university-going boys from selected pre-university colleges in Kolar Taluk. Ten colleges were selected from 80 pre-university colleges by simple random sampling. Eligible boys aged 16 to 19 years from the selected colleges were included. Data were collected using a semi-structured, pre-tested and validated questionnaire. The questionnaire included socio-demographic details and items assessing knowledge and perceptions of HPV infection and HPV vaccination. Perception scores were calculated by assigning one mark for each positive response and zero marks for incorrect or “don’t know” responses. Data were analysed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics were used, and associations between socio-demographic factors and perception scores were assessed using one-way ANOVA; statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Among the 400 participants, 205 (51.2%) were aged 17 years, 126 (31.5%) were aged 16 years and 69 (17.3%) were aged 18 years. Rural participants constituted 263 (65.8%), while 137 (34.3%) were from urban areas. Participants from rural areas had higher perception scores than urban participants, and this association was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Father’s educational status was also significantly associated with perception regarding HPV vaccination (p < 0.001). Age, year of study, family type, mother’s education, father’s occupation and mother’s occupation were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The study showed poor perception regarding HPV vaccination among pre-university-going boys in Kolar Taluk. Place of residence and father’s education were significantly associated with perception scores. Strengthening school-based awareness programmes and involving parents may help improve understanding and acceptance of HPV vaccination among adolescent boys.