Introduction/Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of cervical cancer, a significant public health issue globally. Vaccination against HPV has proven to be a highly effective preventive measure. However, vaccine hesitancy and conspiracy beliefs have hindered vaccination uptake. This retrospective study aims to investigate the willingness of female university students in Tunisia to receive the HPV vaccine and its potential correlation with vaccine conspiracy beliefs.

Methodology A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from female university students in Tunisia. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires that assessed participants’ willingness to receive the HPV vaccine, knowledge about HPV and the vaccine, and beliefs related to vaccine conspiracy theories. The data were analyzed using statistical methods, including logistic regression, to determine the relationship between vaccine conspiracy beliefs and willingness to receive the HPV vaccine.

Results The results of this study reveal that a considerable proportion of female university students in Tunisia expressed a willingness to receive the HPV vaccine. However, a notable subset of participants held vaccine conspiracy beliefs, with concerns about vaccine safety and government involvement. Logistic regression analysis indicated a significant negative correlation between vaccine conspiracy beliefs and the willingness to get the HPV vaccine. Participants who endorsed such beliefs were less likely to express an intention to be vaccinated against HPV, suggesting that conspiracy beliefs may be a barrier to vaccine acceptance.

Conclusion This retrospective study highlights the importance of understanding and addressing vaccine conspiracy beliefs in efforts to improve HPV vaccination rates among female university students in Tunisia. Despite a notable willingness to receive the vaccine, the presence of conspiracy beliefs suggests the need for targeted public health campaigns and educational interventions to dispel myths and misinformation regarding HPV vaccination.

Disclosures None.