Table 3 Human papillomavirus knowledge scale and subscale mean scores of participating students (Overall and stratified for sex) (n = 824)

HPV-KS (max score: 29)

6.74 ± 7.13

7.18 ± 7.47

6.01 ± 6.50

0.012

The general HPV knowledge (max score: 16)

4.68 ± 4.42

4.90 ± 4.54

4.31 ± 4.20

0.041

The HPV screening test knowledge (max score: 6)

0.80 ± 1.38

0.87 ± 1.44

0.68 ± 1.27

0.042

The general HPV vaccination knowledge (max score: 7)

1.25 ± 1.92

1.40 ± 2.05

1.01 ± 1.65

0.003