Awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine among women with high-risk HPV types in the Mediterranean region

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine among women with high-risk HPV types in the Mediterranean region. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 1,418 women who underwent colposcopy due to high-risk HPV positivity. Seven hundred seventy-six participants who fully completed the survey and provided all requisite data for the study were assessed. A survey containing 9 questions about HPV, HPV vaccine, and the source of information of HPV, relationship between HPV and cervical cancer was applied to patients who were given a colposcopy appointment due to high-risk HPV positivity. Results: Seventy percent of women underwent an HPV test during a visit to the doctor, while the proportion of those tested for screening purposes was identified as 22.2%. About 79.5% of participants reported lacking any awareness of HPV before undergoing the test. The source of their initial information of HPV, 49.2% of participants indicated health experts, while 31.4% cited social media. The percentage of participants informed about the HPV vaccine is 20.7%. Only 8.9% of participants reported receiving vaccinations. Conclusion: The fact that even women with a positive HPV test who are referred to the gynecological oncology clinic and who are in risk groups for cervical cancer have limited knowledge about HPV and the HPV vaccine shows how important it is to raise awareness in society about this issue. The use of social media, particularly the creation of content by healthcare professionals, appears to be a crucial measure for raising awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine