Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviors of People about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV Vaccine: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude and behaviors of people about human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV vaccine. Material and Method: In this cross-sectional study, a detailed questionnaire was completed by participants who were admitted to the outpatient clinics of a secondary care hospital between June 2019 and December 2019 and the knowledge, attitude and behaviors of these participants about HPV infection and HPV vaccine were assessed. Results: A total of 836 participants who were admitted to different outpatient clinics of a secondary care hospital between June 2019 and December 2019 were included in the study. Mean age of the participants was 36.29±9.03 and 86.36% of them were female. While 44.26% of the participants were university graduates 44.98% had a master’s degree. Of the participants, 73.09% (n=611) stated that they had never had gynecological exam. While 73.32% (n=613) of the participants answered the question how HPV is transmitted as “yes, it is sexually transmitted” 67.58% (n=565) knew the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer. Of the participants, 71.05% (n=594) knew that cervical cancer was a disease that could be prevented with HPV vaccine. While 56.57% (n=336) stated that they heard HPV vaccine from their physicians 8.85% knew that HPV vaccine was not in the vaccination program of the Ministry of Health. Of the participants, 43.66% (n=365) stated that they had no intention of having HPV vaccine for themselves, their wife/husband or their children. While 11.48% (n=96) of the patients stated that they would not have the vaccine even if it was covered free of charge by the government 31.57% (n=264) stated that they would have the vaccine if it was provided free of charge by the state. Conclusion: People have insufficient knowledge on that cervical cancer is a disease that can be prevented by HPV vaccine, how HPV virus is transmitted and which measures must be taken. Main reason is that the vaccine is not included in the routine vaccination schedule in our country, that healthcare workers do not sufficiently inform patients about HPV vaccine and infection and that the vaccine is expensive in conditions of our country. Underlying reasons why institutions or workers who provide healthcare insufficiently inform people about HPV vaccine can be questioned in detail.