Keywords
Female
Knowledge
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
Hepatitis B
Rubella
Tetanus Toxoid
How to Cite
Abstract
Background: Vaccination is an effective way of preventing infectious diseases. Women require vaccination against tetanus, rubella, hepatitis B, and HPV essential for their health as well as future generations. Despite its significance, gaps in knowledge and practice persist even among medical students.
Objectives: This study aims to assess the level of Knowledge & Practice and vaccination status among female medical students of Rawalpindi Medical University.
Materials & Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the female medical students of Rawalpindi Medical University. A validated self-structured questionnaire on demographics, knowledge, and practice for TT, Rubella, Hepatitis B, and HPV was used. Data was collected using Google Forms. Non-probability convenience sampling was used, and data were analyzed in IBM SPSS v27 using descriptive statistics.
Results: A total of 354 female medical students of 21.1± 1.365 years participated in the study. A majority of 95.5% (n=338/354) received vaccination. 73.2% (n=259/354) of females were vaccinated against hepatitis B, 15.5% against HPV, 67.1% against tetanus, and 64.7% (n=229/354) against rubella. 41% (n=145/354) of the population affirmed receiving a booster dose of vaccine, including Hepatitis B after awareness camp, Tetanus toxoid after injury and in pregnancy, HPV vaccination after awareness camp or a case diagnosed in the family. Only 25% (n=88/354) of the medical students knew the duration of the hepatitis B vaccination course.
Conclusion: Considerable gaps exist between knowledge and vaccination practices, regardless of high awareness levels, particularly for HPV. Institutional vaccination initiatives and comprehensive education programs are required to bridge the knowledge-practice gap among future healthcare professionals.
Keywords: Vaccination, Female, Hepatitis B, Tetanus Toxoid, Rubella