Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the world, affecting millions of people globally. It is a virus that can cause various health complications, including genital warts and cervical cancer. In India, cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women, and studies suggest that HPV infection is the primary cause of this cancer. Despite this, there is a lack of awareness about HPV among women in India [1-3].

HPV is primarily spread through sexual contact, and the risk of acquiring the infection increases with multiple sexual partners. Additionally, there are over 100 different types of HPV, with some causing warts and others leading to cancer. Although there is no cure for HPV, there are vaccines that can protect against the most common strains of the virus, including those that cause cancer. However, in India, HPV vaccination rates are low, primarily due to a lack of awareness and accessibility [4-6].

Moreover, many women in India are not aware of the risk factors and symptoms of HPV, and thus, they do not seek timely medical attention. The social stigma  surrounding sexual health and the reluctance to talk openly about sexuality further exacerbate this issue.

It is crucial to raise awareness about HPV and promote preventive measures to curb the incidence of HPV-related cancers among women in India [5-7]. This article aims to discuss the current status of HPV awareness among women in India and the measures that can betaken to improve it.

Objectives of the Study

To evaluate the awareness and knowledge regarding Human Papilloma Virus among general public of Himachal Pradesh

Research Methodology

• Research Approach -Descriptive

• Research Design-  Cross-sectional survey design

• Study area:  Whole state of Himachal Pradesh

• Study duration- between  January 2023 to  March 2023

Study population

All adults above 18 years of age who were staying in the Himachal Pradesh for 12 months or more. 

Sample size

400 Adults assuming 50% have adequate knowledge regarding Human Papilloma Virus, 5% absolute error, 95% confidence level, and 5% non response rate.

Study tool

A google form questionnaire consisting of questions regarding socio-demography and Human Papilloma Virus was created. The questionnaire was initially pre-tested on a small number of people to identify any difficulty in understanding by the respondents. 

Description of Tool

• Demographic data survey instrument: The demographic form elicited information on participants’ background: age, gender, marital status, religion, employment, education and many more

• Questionnaire: The questionnaire contains 20 structured questions regarding knowledge about Human Papilloma Virus having three options i.e. Yes, No & Don’t Know.  The participants have to choose right one. One mark was given for each correct answer and zero for incorrect answer. The maximum score was 20 and minimum score was zero in each category. Scoring was done on the basis of marks as >80%(16-20)=very good,60-79%(12-15) =Good,41-59% ( 8-11)=Fair,<40% (< 8)=poor

Validity of tool - by the experts in this field

Data collection

Data was collected under the guidance of supervisors. The google form questionnaire was circulated via online modes like e-mail and social media platforms like Whatsapp groups, Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin in both rural and urban area of Himachal Pradesh till the 400 responses were collected.

Data analysis

Data was collected and entered in Microsoft excel spread sheet, cleaned for errors and analyzed with Epi Info V7 Software with appropriate statistical test in terms of frequencies and percentage. 

Ethical Considerations

Participants confidentiality and anonymity was maintained.

The goal of the current study was to assess general community knowledge regarding Human Papilloma Virus in Himachal Pradesh through a non-experimental descriptive survey.

Table-1: socio-demographic characteristics of study participants

A total of 400 respondents took part in the study, with 248 (62%) coming from rural areas and 152 (38%) from urban areas. The majority's participants included 388 (97 percent) Hindus, 262 (65.5 percent) males, 171 (42.75 percent) people in their 18 to 30s, 151 (37.75 percent) graduates, 262 (65.5 percent) working people, and 237 (59.25 percent) married people.

Table 2: knowledge regarding human papilloma virus among study participants

In the present study 27.25% (109) participants had very good knowledge (16-20 marks) towards Human Papilloma Virus, 40.5% (162) had good knowledge (12-15 marks), 17.75% (71) had fair knowledge (8-11 marks) and 14.5% (58) having poor knowledge (<8 marks).

Table 3: knowledge towards human papilloma virus among study participants

Maximum =20 Minimum=6

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections globally. In India, it is estimated that over 1.2 lakh new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed every year, and HPV is known to be a major cause of this cancer. Despite this, awareness about HPV and its link to cervical cancer remains low among women in our study. This lack of awareness is a major impediment to early diagnosis and treatment of HPV-related cervical cancer [3,8,9].

Several studies have shown that the level of awareness about HPV and cervical cancer is quite low among Indian women. In a study conducted among women attending a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, only 21% of the women had heard of HPV, and only 12% knew that HPV can cause cervical cancer. Similarly, a study conducted among female college students in Karnataka showed that only 12% of the participants had heard of HPV, and only 7% knew that it can cause cervical cancer. Another study conducted in India found that only 13.4% of women surveyed had heard of HPV, and only 10.4% knew that it was a sexually transmitted infection. The study also found that women who had heard of HPV were more likely to have received a Pap test, which is a screening test for cervical cancer. Another study conducted in a rural area of India found that only 2.9% of women surveyed had heard of HPV. This lack of awareness is particularly concerning given that women in rural areas of India are less likely to have access to healthcare and may be at higher risk for cervical cancer [10-16].

Low awareness about HPV and cervical cancer is compounded by several cultural and social factors. In India, there is a stigma associated with talking openly about sexual health, and this can deter women from seeking information about HPV and cervical cancer. Additionally, there is a lack of emphasis on preventive health measures, including regular screening for cervical cancer. Many women are also hesitant to undergo screening due to fears of pain or discomfort [16,17].

Improving awareness about HPV and its link to cervical cancer is crucial to reducing the burden of this disease in India. Efforts to improve awareness can include public health campaigns that focus on the importance of regular cervical cancer screening and the role of HPV in causing cervical cancer. Educational interventions targeted at women and healthcare providers can also help to improve knowledge and understanding of HPV and its associated health risks [18-20].

Limitations of the study 

The present study has certain limitations such as cross sectional in nature, and small sample size that made difficult to generalize the findings. Apart    from    that, the questionnaire was administered online, making it impossible to ensure that the participants did not search for answers online or through reference books while answering the questions.  If the participants have done this, it could lead to a negative skewing of the data, providing inaccurate information about the level of knowledge about Human Papillomavirus.   Future research should be focused on larger sample and qualitative studies such as focus group interviews to identify barriers to promote appropriate knowledge and practices about Human Papillomavirus.

In conclusion, in our study there is a lack of awareness and knowledge among the general public about virus and its transmission, prevention, and treatment options. This lack of awareness can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment of HPV-related conditions, including cervical cancer. Therefore, there is a need for targeted public health campaigns and educational programs to improve awareness and understanding of HPV and its link to cervical cancer among females in India. Additionally, efforts should be made to increase access to HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening services, particularly among underserved and marginalized communities.

Addressing the knowledge gap and increasing awareness about HPV and its related diseases will require a collaborative effort between healthcare providers, government agencies, educational institutions, and community organizations. This can include strategies such as providing accurate and accessible information about HPV and its associated risks, promoting regular cervical cancer screenings, and advocating for policies that support HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention. By improving awareness and access to HPV prevention and treatment options, we can reduce the burden of HPV-related diseases and improve the health outcomes in India.

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