Awareness and knowledge of human papillomavirus infection among female public health personnel.
10.5468/kjog.2010.53.5.410
- Author:
Dong Hyu CHO
1
;
Eun Kyung KIM
;
Dong Hyun LEE
;
Won Ku CHOI
;
Eun Ji LIM
;
Jong Hyun KIM
;
Jeong Heon LEE
;
Seong Nam CHO
;
Byung Chan OH
;
Young Ju JEONG
Author Information
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea. yjjeong@jbnu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cervical cancer;
Human papillomavirus;
Public health personnel
- MeSH:
Candida;
Condoms;
Condylomata Acuminata;
Female;
Hearing;
Humans;
Male;
Papilloma;
Papillomavirus Infections;
Public Health;
Surveys and Questionnaire;
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms;
Viruses
- From:Korean Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
2010;53(5):410-415
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To assess the level and accuracy of understanding of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among female public health personnel in Chonbuk province. METHODS: Nine hundred ninety-one female public health personnel were asked to complete a questionnaire assessing HPV awareness and specific knowledge about the virus. The questionnaire contained 11 demographic informations and nine true-false questions on knowledge about HPV infection. RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed by 546 women, of whom 145 (37.6%) had heard of HPV. Married women (P=0.019), those with a history of candida, genital warts (P<0.001), or an abnormal smear result (P=0.001), annually visitor for a Pap smear (P=0.023) were more likely to have heard of human papilloma virus. Medical doctor (38.6%) was the most common source of hearing of HPV. Overall percentage of knowledge among those who had heard of HPV was 56.3%. Responses indicated than more than 70% had up-to-date knowledge about several issues: HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, HPV is sexually transmitted, The pill protects against HPV, and Men can carry HPV. Fewer than 50% knowledge of HPV infection were as follows: HPV viruses are divided to low-risk and high-risk type, HPV infections persist forever, condoms protect against HPV. CONCLUSION: In this well educated samples, awareness of HPV infection was poor. And also, knowledge about HPV infection was relatively low. We recommend that more educational effort is needed for improving women's knowledge and awareness of HPV infection.
