Conocimientos y prácticas preventivas asociadas al virus del papiloma humano en estudiantes de la carrera de enfermería. Universidad de Cuenca 2023

Abstract

The infection caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) constitutes a public health problem and one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections in Ecuadorian society. It is estimated that 80% of sexually active individuals will contract the virus at some point in their lives. The objective of this research was to determine the knowledge and preventive practices associated with the Human Papillomavirus in nursing students at the University of Cuenca. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, selecting a sample of 197 students based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The questionnaire "Questionnaire to measure the level of knowledge about Human Papillomavirus" was administered, and the EPIDATA software (version 3.3) was used for descriptive statistical analysis. According to the research results in the nursing program at the University of Cuenca, there is a demographic disparity, with a predominance of 81.7% women. In terms of knowledge about HPV, 44.2% showed a moderate level, 34.5% a low level, and only 21.3% had a high level of knowledge. When evaluating preventive practices associated with HPV, 61.9% demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge, 32.5% a high level, and only 5.6% had a low level of knowledge. These findings indicate significant differences in the perception and understanding of HPV between genders, highlighting the need for personalized educational interventions. In conclusion, it is suggested to implement specific strategies to improve the understanding and preventive practices of HPV in the nursing student community.