Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted virus globally and a primary cause of cervical cancer, which ranks fourth among tumors in both incidence and mortality. Despite the availability of effective vaccines worldwide, HPV vaccination rates vary, especially among migrant and refugee populations. Indeed, migrant status may act as a determinant against accessing vaccinations, among many other factors. The objective of this paper is to evaluate barriers to and facilitators for accessing HPV vaccination in migrant and refugee populations. A systematic review of the existing peer-reviewed academic literature was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines in which we examined thirty-four studies to evaluate HPV vaccination rates in these populations and identify factors acting as barriers or facilitators. Key determinants include socio-economic status and health literacy. Communication barriers, including language and cultural factors, also impact access to information and trust in the health workforce. Understanding and considering these factors is crucial for developing proper and inclusive vaccination strategies to ensure that no population is overlooked.

Background/Objectives: HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infectious agent worldwide and adolescents are at high risk of contracting HPV. The aim of our study was to find out how much adolescents know about the virus and its effects, and to obtain information on attitudes and behaviors regarding HPV vaccination to close these gaps. Methods: As part of the ESPRIT project, 598 lower secondary (11–14 years) and upper secondary (14–19 years) school students from three Italian regions were surveyed between December 2023 and March 2024 using a seven-question online questionnaire on awareness, knowledge, and attitudes about HPV and the HPV vaccine. Count and zero-inflation models were used to determine correlations between sexes, urban/suburban, province of residence, and school type with knowledge. Results: Lower secondary students believed that HPV causes HIV/AIDS (8.9%) or hepatitis C (3.0%) and rarely mentioned anal (21%) and oral sex (9.6%) as ways of transmission. Among upper secondary students, misconceptions were similar, with worrying rates of students stating that HPV only causes cancer in females (18%) or males (2.4%), and low rates of identifying transmission risk through anal (41%) and oral (34%) sex and genital contact (38%). The HPV vaccination rate was quite low (47% in lower secondary students, 61% in upper secondary students). In the regressions, sex, urban/suburban area, and province were the variables associated with higher levels of knowledge for lower secondary students; for upper secondary students, level of knowledge was associated with sex, urban/suburban area, school type, and province of residence. Conclusions: Awareness and knowledge of HPV and the HPV vaccine are low among Italian students in this study and reported vaccination coverage is below the national target. Coordinated efforts at the national level are needed to address this public health issue.

Background/Objectives: HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infectious agent worldwide and adolescents are at high risk of becoming infected with HPV. Our study aimed at understanding how much adolescents know about the virus and its effects, and to obtain infor-mation on attitudes and behaviors regarding HPV vaccination to close these gaps. Methods: Within the ESPRIT project, 598 lower and upper secondary school students from 3 Italian regions were surveyed between December 2023 and March 2024 using an online questionnaire with 7 questions on awareness, knowledge and attitudes towards HPV and the HPV vaccine. A regres-sion model was used to determine correlations based on sex, living context, province of residence and school type. Results: Younger students believed that HPV causes HIV/AIDS (8.9%) or hepati-tis C (3.0%) and rarely mentioned anal (21%) and oral sex (9.6%) as ways of transmission. Among older students the misconceptions were similar, with worrying rates of students stating that HPV causes cancer only in women (18%) or men (2.4%), and low rates of identifying trans-mission risk from anal (41%) and oral (34%) intercourse and genital contact (38%). HPV vac-cination rate was quite low (47% in younger, 61% in older students). Considering regressions, the living context was decisive for the knowledge of younger students; sex, school type and province of residence in older students. Conclusions: Awareness and knowledge of HPV and the HPV vaccine are low among Italian students, and reported vaccination coverage is below the national target. Coordinated efforts at national level are needed to address this public health issue.