Knowledge and attitudes toward HPV infection and vaccination among immigrants and refugees in Italy

Background: The objectives of the present cross-sectional study were to investigate the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and its vaccination and to understand the impact of different determinants among immigrants and refugees in Italy. Methods: Between September 2016 and March 2018, a total of 519 potential participants were randomly recruited. The information was collected through a questionnaire administered by two researchers. Results: Only 15.9% reported that they had heard of HPV infection before completing the survey and 83.8% of them were aware that the infection could be transmitted through sexual intercourses, 32.3% that it can lead to cervical cancer, 22% to warts, 16.2% to penile cancer, 13.2% to oral cancer, 39.7% that cervical cancer is a very severe disease, 47.1% that receiving the vaccine could protect against the infection, and 44.1% that a vaccine against HPV is available in Italy. Females, those who originated from Eastern Europe, Asia and South America, those who lived in a house compared to those who lived in a street, and those who had 1–10 years and 11 or more years of education compared to those illiterate were more likely to have heard about the HPV infection before completing the survey. Only 3 participants (0.7%) received the HPV vaccination. Out of the unvaccinated who had heard of HPV, 50.7% and 59% of those between the ages of 12 and 26 and of those who had at least one child aged 12–26 years, were willing to receive vaccination for themselves as well as their children. Conclusion: The results underscored the necessity to develop health education and promotion aimed at improving the knowledge and vaccination practice in immigrants and refugees.