HPV Knowledge, Vaccination Uptake, and Salivary Diagnostics Among Dental Students in Romania.

IF 5.2 3区 医学 Q1 IMMUNOLOGY
Vaccines Pub Date : 2025-06-19 DOI:10.3390/vaccines13060658
Sergiu Baranga, Doina Chioran, Octavia Balean, Ramona Dumitrescu, Roxana Popescu, Daniela Jumanca, Roxana Oancea, Ruxandra Sava-Rosianu, Vanessa Bolchis, Atena Galuscan
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Abstract

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a key cause of cervical and oropharyngeal cancers. Despite available vaccines, uptake remains low in Romania due to limited awareness and hesitancy. This study assessed HPV knowledge, vaccination status, and the presence of high-risk strains (16 and 18) in the saliva of dental students from Victor Babeș University in Timișoara. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and March 2024, enrolling 199 dental students. Participants completed a 15-item questionnaire addressing HPV-related knowledge, vaccination status, lifestyle factors, and health history. Saliva samples were collected and analyzed using real-time PCR for the detection of HPV types 16 and 18. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify predictors of vaccination uptake. Results: Only 10.6% of participants had received the HPV vaccine, although 96.9% acknowledged its safety and efficacy. Awareness was higher among females (88.1%) than males (84.3%), and vaccination rates were significantly greater among students under 25 years old (p = 0.0312). A total of 16.6% reported the presence of papillomas or warts. HPV DNA was detected in 10% of saliva samples. Conclusions: Although awareness of HPV was high, vaccination rates remained low, revealing a gap between knowledge and preventive action. Saliva-based screening shows promise as a non-invasive diagnostic tool, and integrating targeted education and advocacy into dental curricula may enhance public health outcomes in Romania.

罗马尼亚牙科学生的HPV知识、疫苗接种和唾液诊断。
背景:人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)是宫颈癌和口咽癌的主要病因。尽管有可用的疫苗,但由于认识有限和犹豫不决,罗马尼亚的接种率仍然很低。本研究评估了维克多·巴贝斯特大学牙科学生的HPV知识、疫苗接种状况以及唾液中高危菌株(16和18)的存在(Timișoara)。方法:于2024年2月至3月对199名牙科学生进行横断面研究。参与者完成了一份包括hpv相关知识、疫苗接种状况、生活方式因素和健康史的15项问卷。采集唾液样本,采用实时荧光定量PCR检测HPV 16型和18型。采用Logistic回归分析确定疫苗接种的预测因素。结果:只有10.6%的参与者接种了HPV疫苗,尽管96.9%的人承认其安全性和有效性。女性知晓率(88.1%)高于男性(84.3%),25岁以下学生的疫苗接种率显著高于男性(p = 0.0312)。共有16.6%的人报告存在乳头状瘤或疣。在10%的唾液样本中检测到HPV DNA。结论:虽然对HPV的认识很高,但疫苗接种率仍然很低,表明知识和预防行动之间存在差距。基于唾液的筛查有望成为一种非侵入性诊断工具,将有针对性的教育和宣传纳入牙科课程可能会提高罗马尼亚的公共卫生成果。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Vaccines
Vaccines Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics-Pharmacology
CiteScore
8.90
自引率
16.70%
发文量
1853
审稿时长
18.06 days
期刊介绍: Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X) is an international, peer-reviewed open access journal focused on laboratory and clinical vaccine research, utilization and immunization. Vaccines publishes high quality reviews, regular research papers, communications and case reports.
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