HPV KNOWLEDGE AMONG PHARMACY STUDENTS: A WARNING FOR ACADEMIC HEALTH TRAINING

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1595062524066

• Palavras-chave: HPV; Cervical Cancer; Pharmacy; Teaching; University, Preventive

• Keywords: HPV; Cervical Cancer; Pharmacy; Teaching; University, Preventive

• Abstract:

  Objective: To assess the knowledge of Pharmacy students at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Macaé campus about HPV. Methodology: Questionnaires were administered to students from all five years of the Pharmacy course at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Macaé campus. The students answered the 25-question questionnaire individually, without identification or consultation. The results were expressed as a percentage using the Excel® program. Results: 115 students were assessed. The majority of pharmacy students were Catholic, white, had a monthly family income of between one and six minimum wages and had parents with complete or incomplete higher education. The students' level of information on HPV is good, with most students answering the questions correctly. However, some students were still unaware of HPV transmission, HPV-related diseases, the importance of condom use and early detection tests for precursor lesions or cancer. Even in advanced periods, some students showed a lack of basic knowledge on the subject. The study revealed that the majority of students are familiar with the HPV virus, but several important pieces of knowledge relating to the transmission and pathogenesis of the disease are unknown to them. Conclusion: These results show that there is a great need for better work on these subjects in the different disciplines of the pharmacy course.