Knowledge and Attitudes About HPV Infection, HPV Vaccination, and Cervical Cancer Among Rural Southeast Asian Women

Abstract

Background The incidence of cervical cancer in developing countries is high and even higher among women in rural areas in these countries. Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitudes towards human papillomavirus (HPV), HPV vaccination, and cervical cancer among young women in rural settings in a Southeast Asia country. Methods A convenience sample of ethnically diverse young rural women in Malaysia was surveyed. Participants were interviewed using a standard questionnaire. Results Among the participants (N=449), knowledge of HPV, HPV vaccination, cervical screening, and cervical cancer risk factors was extremely poor. The mean total knowledge score (14 items) was 2.37 (SD±1.97). Although many had never heard of the newly released HPV vaccine, two-thirds professed an intention to receive the HPV vaccine. Intention to receive the vaccine was significantly associated with knowledge of cervical screening and cervical cancer risk factors (OR 1.17; 95% CI 1.03-1.33; P=0.013). Reasons for vaccine refusal were doubts about safety and efficacy of the new vaccine (27.4%), perceived embarrassment at receiving an STI vaccine (20.7%), and perception of not being at risk of HPV infection (20.0%). Conclusions Providing HPV education to the rural residents is a high priority.

Women’s Knowledge and Behavior on Cervical Cancer, in Kayseri, Turkey

“…In other studies also, 30-68% of women stated multiple sexual partners and smoking as risk factors for cervical cancer. 3,14,15 In the past three decades, the number of sexual partners and its consequences on increasing the risk of cervical cancer has evolved from being married to a man with an ex-wife with cervical cancer to being married to a man who has had 6 or more sexual partners throughout his life. [16][17][18] Smoking is considered a co-factor for cervical cancer because it suppresses the local immune system and thus accelerates the development of cervical cancer by increasing the risk of HPV infection.…”

“…The questionnaire was filled out by voluntary interns who are members of the scientific research Turkiye Klinikleri J Med Sci 2012;32 (3) club, using the face-to-face interview technique. The interns were trained for two hours about the aim of the study and the questionnaire before the field visits started.…”

“…Wong et al reported that women who had difficulties in access to health facilities and payment had a lower rate of undergoing Pap smear tests. 3 The study by Schumacher et al showed that in women with a high educational level and good income, the Pap smear test rate was higher. 34 A low educational level, low income level and low occupational status, usually create a socio-cultural environment that negatively affects the utilization of daily facilities and access to healthcare facilites.…”

“…2 Eighty percent of deaths occur in developing countries with low socio-economical levels. 3 As the nineth most common female cancer in Turkey with an incidence rate of 4.76 per thousand, cervical cancer remains a signicant public health problem threatening women. 4 Many factors have been proposed as causes of cervical cancer including early onset of sexual activity or early marriage, multiple sexual partners, unprotected sexual intercourse, a high-risk sexual partner, smoking, history of sexually transmitted diseases, prolonged use of oral contraceptives, high parity, family history and low socio-economic status.…”

Contemporary Perspectives on Risk Perceptions, Health-Protective Behaviors, and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases

“…The third article by Wong [53] highlights the importance of considering broader social, cultural, and economic contexts of infectious disease control in multiethnic, multi-religious societies, and within medically underserved populations. This study examined behavioral intentions to receive a newly introduced vaccine to reduce the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infectious disease agent associated with cervical cancer.…”