HPV knowledge, vaccination uptake, and information access among adolescents aged 15–19 in France

Abstract

Introduction

Sexual health information for young people is a global public health issue. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. In France, vaccination was extended to girls and in 2019, but coverage remains low. This study assessed knowledge about HPV, vaccination, means of protection, and sources of information among adolescents, and analyzed predictors of vaccination.

Method

This was an observational cross-sectional survey among girls and boys aged 15–19 in six secondary schools in France. The study was carried out as part of the mandatory health promotion program for third-year medical students.

Results

All 357 questionnaires were completed (100 % response rate). Girls were more likely to be informed about HPV than boys, with 67 % (159/238) of girls reporting prior information compared with 44 % (52/119) of boys (p < 0.001). Vaccination uptake was higher among girls, with 40 % (95/238) vaccinated compared with 21 % (25/119) of boys (p < 0.001). Vaccination was significantly more frequent in schools with a higher social position score (p < 0.01). Overall knowledge about HPV was low without significant differences by gender, age, or school. Only 179/357 (50 %) adolescents knew that both girls and boys are affected by HPV, and only 218/357 (61 %) cited vaccination as protection. Social networks were the preferred means of communication about HPV for young people (270/357, 76 %), followed by advertisements on television or public transport (145/357, 41 %).

Conclusion

General practitioners play a central role in informing young people about sexual health and HPV. Promoting information through social networks and public campaigns, seldom used for HPV, was encouraged by high school students.