Baranga Sergiu, Chioran Doina, Balean Octavia, Dumitrescu Ramona, Popescu Roxana, Jumanca Daniela, Oancea Roxana, Sava-Rosianu Ruxandra, Bolchis Vanessa, Galuscan Atena
Doctoral School, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.
Department of Anesthesiology and Oral Surgery, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.
Vaccines (Basel). 2025 Jun 19;13(6):658. doi: 10.3390/vaccines13060658.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a key cause of cervical and oropharyngeal cancers. Despite available vaccines, uptake remains low in Romania due to limited awareness and hesitancy. This study assessed HPV knowledge, vaccination status, and the presence of high-risk strains (16 and 18) in the saliva of dental students from Victor Babeș University in Timișoara. A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and March 2024, enrolling 199 dental students. Participants completed a 15-item questionnaire addressing HPV-related knowledge, vaccination status, lifestyle factors, and health history. Saliva samples were collected and analyzed using real-time PCR for the detection of HPV types 16 and 18. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify predictors of vaccination uptake. Only 10.6% of participants had received the HPV vaccine, although 96.9% acknowledged its safety and efficacy. Awareness was higher among females (88.1%) than males (84.3%), and vaccination rates were significantly greater among students under 25 years old ( = 0.0312). A total of 16.6% reported the presence of papillomas or warts. HPV DNA was detected in 10% of saliva samples. Although awareness of HPV was high, vaccination rates remained low, revealing a gap between knowledge and preventive action. Saliva-based screening shows promise as a non-invasive diagnostic tool, and integrating targeted education and advocacy into dental curricula may enhance public health outcomes in Romania.
人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）是宫颈癌和口咽癌的关键病因。尽管有可用疫苗，但由于认知有限和犹豫心理，罗马尼亚的疫苗接种率仍然很低。本研究评估了蒂米什瓦拉维克托·巴比什大学牙科学生唾液中的HPV知识、疫苗接种状况以及高危毒株（16型和18型）的存在情况。2024年2月至3月进行了一项横断面研究，招募了199名牙科学生。参与者完成了一份包含15个项目的问卷，内容涉及HPV相关知识、疫苗接种状况、生活方式因素和健康史。收集唾液样本并使用实时PCR分析，以检测HPV 16型和18型。采用逻辑回归分析确定疫苗接种的预测因素。尽管96.9%的参与者认可HPV疫苗的安全性和有效性，但只有10.6%的参与者接种了该疫苗。女性（88.1%）的认知度高于男性（84.3%），25岁以下学生的疫苗接种率显著更高（P = 0.0312）。共有16.6%的人报告有乳头状瘤或疣。10%的唾液样本中检测到HPV DNA。尽管对HPV的认知度很高，但疫苗接种率仍然很低，这揭示了知识与预防行动之间的差距。基于唾液的筛查显示出作为一种非侵入性诊断工具的前景，将有针对性的教育和宣传纳入牙科课程可能会改善罗马尼亚的公共卫生状况。
