West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 13 9 2012 09 01 Does the Success of a School-based HPV Vaccine Programme Depend on Teachers’ Knowledge and Religion? - a Survey in a Multicultural Society 4651 4654 26907 EN Journal Article 1970 01 01 Organized introduction of prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination can reduce the burdenof cervical cancer in developing countries. One of the most effective ways is through a national school-basedprogram. Information on teachers is therefore important since this group may have a disproportionate influencein the success of any implementation. Objective: To assess teachers’ knowledge and perception of HPV, cervicalcancer and HPV vaccine prior to commencing a school-based HPV vaccination program in a multiethnic,predominantly Muslim country. Factors associated with acceptability of the vaccine were identified. Method: Abilingual questionnaire was applied to 1,500 secondary school teachers from 20 urban schools in Malaysia. Datacollected were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Results: 1,166 questionnaires were returned. From this group,46.1% had never heard of HPV while 50.9% had never had a pap smear. However, 73.8% have heard of theHPV vaccine with 75% agreeing to have it. 96% considered themselves religious with 79.8% agreeing to havethe vaccine. Conclusions: A national school-based HPV immunization program can be implemented effectivelyin a multiethnic, cultural and religious country despite limited knowledge of HPV-related pathology amongteachers. In addition, the perception that religion has a negative influence on such a program is unwarranted.

https://journal.waocp.org/article_26907_a5f689040141986f35ecdf59238a1331.pdf