Knowledge about human papillomavirus among adolescents

Objective: To assess knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) among high sch ool-aged adolescents. Methods: We administered written surveys to 523 innercity high school stude nts in Toronto, Canada, that asked about HPV, other sexually transmitted di seases (STDs), and Papanicolaou testing. We also asked them to report docto r or clinic visits and whether they received sexual health information at t hose visits. The predictor variables used in analysis were gender and sexua l experience. Results: Eighty-seven percent of our population [95% confidence interval (C I) 84%, 89%) had not heard of HPV. Although adolescent women were more know ledgeable about Papanicolaou testing than adolescent men, only 39% of sexua lly experienced adolescent women knew who should get a Papanicolaou test. S exually experienced and inexperienced adolescents failed to identify correc tly their STD risk. Both genders showed greater knowledge about human immun odeficiency virus (HIV) than other diseases. Among adolescent women, 85% ha d visited a doctor or clinic within the past year, but only 29% had talked about sexual health. Conclusion: Knowledge of HPV infection and cervical cancer screening was lo w in this urban adolescent population. Improved efforts are needed for prev ention of HPV infection and HPV-related cervical changes. Programs modeled after HIV-education programs might be effective. Doctors' offices and clini cs providing health care to adolescents should take greater responsibility in sexual health education. (Obstet Gynecol 2000;96:653-6. (C) 2000 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists).