Cervical Cancer and Human Papillomavirus Awareness among Women in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Cervical cancer (CC) is the eighth most common cancer among Saudi women of all ages. With limited national data, we aimed to evaluate the public awareness of cervical cancer, CC risk factors, HPV infection, and HPV vaccines in different regions of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This was a survey-based cross-sectional study that encompassed 564 Saudi women over a period of a month. A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed through different social media platforms. Results: The collected data included sociodemographic variables and questions assessing awareness of CC, and the attitudes toward CC screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Most respondents were aware of CC (84.0%), although their primary source of information was the internet. However, only 45 females (8.0%) had a history of cervical screening. Furthermore, most females did not know that HPV was transmitted sexually (78.9%), or that it caused genital warts (81.7%) and CC (81.9%). Regarding the HPV vaccine, 100 females (17.7%) had heard about it, but only 11 (2.0%) took the vaccine, although more than half of the respondents (54.1%) were willing to take the vaccine after being informed about it. Conclusions: We noticed a remarkable lack of awareness among the respondents regarding HPV’s clinical implications; and the HPV vaccine, and its importance and availability. The main source of information for most of the Saudi women in this study was the internet, which may be an unreliable source, or provide misleading information that may delay screening or discourage vaccination. Thus, organized campaigns by the Ministry of Health or other health-advocating agencies, in addition to screening and vaccination programs, are strongly encouraged.

Assessment of Saudi Females’ Knowledge Regarding Human Papillomavirus Infection, Screening, and Available Methods for Prevention: A Cross-Sectional Study in Qassim Region

“…A total of 24.5% were moderate and only 4.4% were categorized as having a good level of knowledge (mean score: 3.56; SD 2.91, out of 11 points). These findings are consistent with the literature wherein most women demonstrated a lack of understanding regarding the basic facts of HPV, infection, screening, and prevention [7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. In Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia, there has been a report that only a small proportion (17.4%) of Saudi females had good knowledge about cervical cancer [14].…”

“…In addition, only 16% were aware of the condition that HPV screening should be done regularly every three years. In a study done in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, women showed a better awareness level that HPV was transmitted sexually (78.9%), or that it caused genital warts (81.7%) and cervical cancer (81.9%) [10]. However, contradicting these reports, stating that nearly half of the subjects (49%) disagreed that HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection and only 38% agreed that all cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection.…”

“…Contradicting these reports, a study done in Madinah Region, Saudi Arabia, found that older women were more aware of HPV than younger ones. More investigations are required to determine the true effect of age in terms of awareness regarding HPV [10].…”

Awareness, attitudes and perceptions about HPV and anti-HPV vaccine among women living in Taif, Saudi Arabia

“…This finding was unexpected in the context of current public awareness campaigns about the HPV virus and the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the national immunization schedule. In Saudi Arabia, the HPV vaccine is given to females of age 9 to 13 years as part of the country's national immunization program [9,10]. Only a few percent of women knew that HPV infection was common in Saudi Arabia.…”

Parental knowledge, views, and perceptions of human papilloma virus infection and vaccination-cross-sectional descriptive study

“…Cervical cancer is listed as one of the most common cancers in females in Saudi Arabia and has become the third most common type of gynecological cancer in the country. [ 1 , 2 ] Vaccines against HPV types 16 and 18 are now available and can reduce the incidence of cervical and other anogenital cancers. [ 3 ] The HPV Working Group of the International Agency for Research on Cancer advised routine HPV vaccination for females aged 11 to 12 years in Saudi Arabia.…”