KNOWLEDGE REGARDING HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS VACCINE AMONG RESIDENTS OF SELECTED VILLAGES OF RAJPURA, DISTRICT PATIALA, PUNJAB

Cervical cancer is a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality among women in India, despite being largely preventable through early detection and HPV vaccination. This study assesses the knowledge regarding the HPV vaccine among residents of selected villages of Rajpura, District Patiala, Punjab. A descriptive research design was used to evaluate knowledge levels and their association with selected demographic variables.The study included 70 residents aged 18 to 45 years and above, selected through non-probability convenience sampling. Data were collected using a socio-demographic performa and a self-structured knowledge questionnaire, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings showed that only 35.7% of participants had heard of the HPV vaccine. Most participants (71.4%) had average knowledge, 24.3% had poor knowledge, and only 4.3% demonstrated good knowledge. Major gaps were observed in areas such as vaccine eligibility, dosage, timing, and screening methods. No significant association was found between knowledge levels and demographic variables, but prior awareness and source of information had a significant impact (p < 0.05). The study highlights limited awareness of the HPV vaccine in rural communities. Strengthening health education and nurse-led community outreach programs is essential to improve knowledge and support Indias goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.