Resumo (EN)
Objective – To assess the knowledge of university students from UNIP about the HPV and cervical cancer, comparing this knowledge between students of health sciences courses and non-health sciences courses. Methods – Confidential questionnaires were administered to 105 students of UNIP, with 45% belonging to the health sciences courses and 55% to other areas of science. The statistical analyzes were performed using the chi-square test, assuming a significance level of 5%. Results – The frequency of basic knowledge like: mode of transmission of HPV, the Pap smear and relationship between HPV and cervical carcinoma; was lower among students who did not belong to the health sciences school (p<0.05). Conclusion – The students belonging to health sciences courses have more knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV compared with students from other areas of graduation, which are uninformed about basic issues related to cervical carcinoma and HPV infection. Thus, students in the health field have an important role in promoting health education.