Title: Awareness of HPV, Cervical Cancer and Preventive Measures: A Questionnaire survey from Hyderabad, India
Authors: A Ashwini, Nagavalli Sreerangam, N.V.R.Murty, K Aparna
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v4i3.08
Aim:This study aimed to cross-sectionally examine women’s' awareness and understanding of HPV infection, its role in causing cervical cancer and preventative measures available in an urban Indian setting. Methodology:A convenience sample of 1000 women (between 20 and 50 years of age) who attended the Gynecology OP department of an urban general hospital in Hyderabad, India was invited to complete a questionnaire survey. The29-item knowledge and attitudes questionnaire assessed subjects' awareness of HPV infection, its relationship to cervical cancer and the availability & use of cervical smears and vaccines to prevent the same. The data was systematically collated and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results & Conclusions:Only 31.9% of the sample had an awareness of HPV infections. Most of those who had this awareness, knew that it could cause cancer but only a fifth knew that HPV was transmitted sexually. Less than a third had some awareness of cervical screening and only 25% knew about HPV vaccination. 62% of the subjects were prepared to undergo cervical screening, with the remaining refusing due to cost, embarrassment, fear or pain. Finally, awareness was mainly obtained through various media sources, and was higher amongst subjects who were more literate and from upper socio-economic backgrounds. The implications of these findings to focusing and planning public awareness campaigns- perhaps through the use of media resources is discussed.
Abstract
