Knowledge and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Cervical Cancer among Men and Women in Japan: A Questionnaire Survey

Abstract

Background: In many advanced countries other than Japan, the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer, which is mainly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, are decreasing probably due to the high rate of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening. In Japan, these rates are on the rise owing to the stagnation of vaccination and low screening rate. To improve these situations, active promotion of HPV vaccination and screening is required. As a preliminary stage, we investigated perceptions regarding cervical cancer and HPV vaccines among Japanese men and women and examined the difference in perceptions by sex. Methods: This was a prospective crosssectional questionnaire survey targeting Sojo University students and working adults. University students were targeted before learning about cervical cancer. Working adults were recruited on the basis of information from the Health Promotion of Health and Welfare Department of Kumamoto Prefectural Government in Japan and from companies via student organizations promoting cancer prevention. We surveyed respondents' knowledge and awareness about HPV vaccination and cervical cancer and performed logistic regression analysis to compare the results between men and women. Result: A total of 557 completed questionnaires (205 men and 352 women) were analyzed. Women had high levels of knowledge and awareness about HPV vaccination and cervical cancer compared with men. However, 70% of women surveyed had never been screened for cervical cancer. Conclusion: A total of 557 completed questionnaires (205 men and 352 women) were analyzed. Women had high levels of knowledge and awareness about HPV vaccination and cervical cancer compared with men. However, among surveyed women, the degree of knowledge and awareness was lower than that among women in other countries with established HPV vaccination programs. Furthermore, 70% of women surveyed had never been screened for cervical cancer.

A questionnaire survey on the prevention of HPV infection among females and males who came of age in Japan under various scenarios of HPV vaccine recommendation

“… 31 Another study was by Horio et al ., who also investigated the differences by sex in perceptions regarding cervical cancer and HPV vaccines, in this case among 557 university students and working adults in Japan with various levels of learning about cervical cancer. 32 Even though the women in their survey, like in ours, had significantly higher levels of knowledge and awareness about HPV vaccination and cervical cancer compared with men; however, that level of knowledge was far below that of women in other countries with established HPV vaccination programs. Alarmingly, 70% of the women in their survey had never been screened for cervical cancer.…”