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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0PLOS One

Knowledge, attitudes, and prevention practices regarding human papillomavirus among health and social science female students in Northwest Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study

  • Birhanemaskal Malkamu1
  • Abiyu Ayalew2
  • Addisu Melake3
  • Alemie Fentie4
  • Ayenew Assefa5
  • Ayenew Berhan6
  • Birhanu Getie7
  • Birhanu Malede8
  • Biruk Legese9
  • Dagnaw Mersha Tegegne10
  • Dejen Gedamu Damtie
  • Dessie Tegegne
18 more authors
  • Eninur Dejen
  • Fisseha Nigussie Dagnew
  • Gebrehiwot Berie Mekonnen
  • Getu Abeje
  • Habtamu Demlash
  • Kindie Mitiku
  • Rahel Mulatie Anteneh
  • Samuel Berihun Dagnew
  • Shewaneh Damtie
  • Tadese Sisay
  • Teklehaimanot Kiros
  • Temesgen Lingerh Endalew
  • Tigabu Eskeziya Zerihun
  • Mulat Erkihun
  • Wondimnew Desalegn Addis
  • Yirgalem Abere
  • Getaneh Atikilt Yemata
  • Mahider Shimelis Feyisa
10 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
  2. 2Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
  3. 3Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
  4. 4Department of Social and Public health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
  5. 5Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
  6. 6Department of Pediatric and Child Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
  7. 7Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
  8. 8Department of Pediatrics, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
  9. 9Department of Adult health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
  10. 10School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Asrat Woldeyes Health Sciences Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
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Abstract

Background: University students are vital for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) prevention, yet comparative data between academic disciplines remain limited. This study compared HPV knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among female health and Social Science students at Debre Tabor University. Objective: To compare HPV knowledge, attitudes, and prevention practices (KAP) among female Health and Social Science students and identify sociodemographic predictors of these outcomes. Methods: Design: Institutional-Based, comparative cross-sectional study. Setting: Debre Tabor University, Northwest Ethiopia, conducted from June to July 2025. Main outcome measures: HPV knowledge (good vs. poor), attitudes (good vs. poor), and vaccination practices (good vs. poor). Multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of poor outcomes. Results: Health science students (HSS) reported higher awareness (83.6% vs. 56.7%) and more positive attitudes (57.3% vs. 37.6%) than Social Science students (SSS). However, both groups exhibited poor knowledge: 61.2% of HSS and 80.9% of SSS scored <50% on knowledge questions, and critically low vaccination rates (HSS: 18.2%; SSS: 15.2%). For HSS, lack of prior awareness was the strongest predictor of poor practice (AOR = 7.61, 95% CI = 1.65–35.12). For SSS, second-year students had 3.39 times higher odds of poor practice compared to seniors (AOR = 3.39; 95% CI: 1.04–10.99). SSS predominantly relied on social media (45.0%), while HSS used academic sources (67.5%). Conclusion: A profound knowledge-practice gap exists regardless of the field of study. High reliance on social media among SSS and low practice among mid-level students suggest that university-based interventions could potentially contribute to national efforts, though achieving population-level targets requires multi-sectoral strategies..

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{malkamu2026knowledge,
  title = {{Knowledge, attitudes, and prevention practices regarding human papillomavirus among health and social science female students in Northwest Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study}},
  author = {Birhanemaskal Malkamu and Abiyu Ayalew and Addisu Melake and Alemie Fentie and Ayenew Assefa and Ayenew Berhan and Birhanu Getie and Birhanu Malede and Biruk Legese and Dagnaw Mersha Tegegne and Dejen Gedamu Damtie and Dessie Tegegne and Eninur Dejen and Fisseha Nigussie Dagnew and Gebrehiwot Berie Mekonnen and Getu Abeje and Habtamu Demlash and Kindie Mitiku and Rahel Mulatie Anteneh and Samuel Berihun Dagnew and Shewaneh Damtie and Tadese Sisay and Teklehaimanot Kiros and Temesgen Lingerh Endalew and Tigabu Eskeziya Zerihun and Mulat Erkihun and Wondimnew Desalegn Addis and Yirgalem Abere and Getaneh Atikilt Yemata and Mahider Shimelis Feyisa},
  journal = {PLOS One},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0359838},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359838},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Knowledge, attitudes, and prevention practices regarding human papillomavirus among health and social science female students in Northwest Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study
AU  - Birhanemaskal Malkamu
AU  - Abiyu Ayalew
AU  - Addisu Melake
AU  - Alemie Fentie
AU  - Ayenew Assefa
AU  - Ayenew Berhan
AU  - Birhanu Getie
AU  - Birhanu Malede
AU  - Biruk Legese
AU  - Dagnaw Mersha Tegegne
AU  - Dejen Gedamu Damtie
AU  - Dessie Tegegne
AU  - Eninur Dejen
AU  - Fisseha Nigussie Dagnew
AU  - Gebrehiwot Berie Mekonnen
AU  - Getu Abeje
AU  - Habtamu Demlash
AU  - Kindie Mitiku
AU  - Rahel Mulatie Anteneh
AU  - Samuel Berihun Dagnew
AU  - Shewaneh Damtie
AU  - Tadese Sisay
AU  - Teklehaimanot Kiros
AU  - Temesgen Lingerh Endalew
AU  - Tigabu Eskeziya Zerihun
AU  - Mulat Erkihun
AU  - Wondimnew Desalegn Addis
AU  - Yirgalem Abere
AU  - Getaneh Atikilt Yemata
AU  - Mahider Shimelis Feyisa
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/05
JO  - PLOS One
DO  - 10.1371/journal.pone.0359838
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359838
AB  - Background: University students are vital for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) prevention, yet comparative data between academic disciplines remain limited. This study compared HPV knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among female health and Social Science students at Debre Tabor University. Objective: To compare HPV knowledge, attitudes, and prevention practices (KAP) among female Health and Social Science students and identify sociodemographic predictors of these outcomes. Methods: Design: Institutional-Based, comparative cross-sectional study. Setting: Debre Tabor University, Northwest Ethiopia, conducted from June to July 2025. Main outcome measures: HPV knowledge (good vs. poor), attitudes (good vs. poor), and vaccination practices (good vs. poor). Multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of poor outcomes. Results: Health science students (HSS) reported higher awareness (83.6% vs. 56.7%) and more positive attitudes (57.3% vs. 37.6%) than Social Science students (SSS). However, both groups exhibited poor knowledge: 61.2% of HSS and 80.9% of SSS scored <50% on knowledge questions, and critically low vaccination rates (HSS: 18.2%; SSS: 15.2%). For HSS, lack of prior awareness was the strongest predictor of poor practice (AOR = 7.61, 95% CI = 1.65–35.12). For SSS, second-year students had 3.39 times higher odds of poor practice compared to seniors (AOR = 3.39; 95% CI: 1.04–10.99). SSS predominantly relied on social media (45.0%), while HSS used academic sources (67.5%). Conclusion: A profound knowledge-practice gap exists regardless of the field of study. High reliance on social media among SSS and low practice among mid-level students suggest that university-based interventions could potentially contribute to national efforts, though achieving population-level targets requires multi-sectoral strategies..
SN  - 1932-6203
ER  -