Knowledge level about HPV infection and cervical cancer screening tests

Abstract

Introduction: Understanding HPV and cervical cancer is vital for prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment. Nurses play a crucial role in implementing screening and are also at risk. This study examines nurses' knowledge and practices regarding HPV and cervical cancer screening in a tertiary center.
 Materials and Methods: It is a prospective survey study conducted with nurses. A total of 191 nurses participated in the three-part and 53-item survey that evaluated demographic data, HPV knowledge levels and cervical cancer screening awareness.
 Results: A total of 2895 nurses work at the hospital. The rate of participation in the research was 6.6% with 191 participants. The average age of the participants is 27.1. Majority of the participants are female (n: 171, 89.5%), only 20 (10.5%) are male. While 81.9% of the respondents had knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases, only 13.5% had gone to regular gynecological examinations. Despite 98.4% of the participants who had knowledge about cervical cancer and screening practices, only 11% (n:19) had undergone cervical cancer screening and 94.2% (n:180) had not received HPV vaccine. The most mis-answered question about HPV was whether current vaccines protect against both genital warts and cervical cancer. 
 Conclusion: In conclusion, nurses' knowledge level and screening practices about HPV and cervical cancer need to be improved. It is also important to increase awareness of the HPV vaccine and encourage more people to receive it. This effort could positively impact health outcomes related to cervical cancer and HPV.