Retrospective Analysis of HPV Vaccination Attitudes and Uptake Among Medical Students: Implications for Preventive Healthcare.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination remains a critical preventive strategy against HPV-related cancers, yet uptake among young adults in Poland remains suboptimal. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess HPV vaccination status, determinants, and perceived barriers to vaccination among healthcare students. METHODS: This retrospective survey was conducted among 1062 students of the Medical University of Lodz, including those studying Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, and Public Health. RESULTS: Overall, 20% of respondents reported HPV vaccination, with the highest coverage among midwifery students (26.8%) and the lowest among medical students (16.8%). The major barriers to vaccination were found to be cost and misconceptions regarding vaccination age limits. As most respondents were above 14 years old when receiving the first dose, they were not eligible for the national free vaccination program. The significant motivators were parental influence and guidance from the medical university; however, recommendations for vaccination were infrequent. Multivariable logistic regression analysis found marital status (p = 0.029), paternal medical education (p = 0.003), and prior sexual experience (p = 0.037) to be significantly associated with vaccination status. Adverse events were reported by 45% of vaccinated respondents, most commonly reactions at the injection site. Nursing and midwifery students more often perceived adverse events as moderate or severe, but none discontinued vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the need for financial support mechanisms and targeted educational interventions to enhance HPV vaccine uptake among future healthcare professionals in Poland.