Aims: The aims of this study were to examine knowledge and beliefs regarding HPV and cervical cancer andto predict HPV vaccination intention among young women in Thailand using a cross-sectional descriptive studydesign. Methods: A sample of young women aged 18-24 years (n = 391) were recruited from universities/collegeslocated in Chiang Mai, Thailand. An online survey was carried out to obtain young women’s demographic, HPVand cervical cancer-related health characteristics, knowledge, and beliefs toward HPV and cervical cancer.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine significant independent predictors of HPVvaccination intention. Findings: Five participants (1.2%) had received at least one shot of the HPV vaccine. Of386 participants, 218 (56.5%) reported high intention to obtain the HPV vaccine. Young women’s knowledgeabout HPV and cervical cancer was moderate. The mean knowledge score was 7.89 (SD, 3.99; range, 0–15).Knowledge was significantly and positively related to perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, and perceivedbenefits of HPV vaccination, but negatively related to perceived barriers to HPV vaccination. Participants with ahigher level of knowledge were significantly more likely to obtain the vaccine. A multivariate logistic regressionmodel identified predictors of HPV vaccination intention: recommendations from significant others, perceivedsusceptibility, perceived benefits, and feeling embarrassed about getting the HPV vaccine. Conclusions: Healtheducation efforts are needed to promote further understanding of HPV and cervical cancer, particularly withmore attention to the HPV vaccination.
)