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Awareness and Knowledge of Human Papilloma Virus and Cervical Cancer in Women with High Pap Uptake

Journal of Community Health volume 44, pages 332–338 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

This cross-sectional study explored knowledge, awareness, and health practices surrounding cervical cancer prevention and screening. Patients (n = 129) were recruited from three community clinics of underserved populations in Dallas, Texas. Women between ages 18–65 were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire to evaluate their knowledge, awareness, and attitudes related to pap tests, human papilloma virus (HPV), HPV vaccines, and cervical cancer. Most women reported having a pap test in the past 3–5 years (86.6%). Over half knew that there was an increased risk of cervical cancer with an HPV infection, abnormal pap test, or both (52%). However, less than half of women knew the purpose of a pap test (40%), the purpose of the HPV vaccine (48%), or the transmission mode of HPV (25%). Over half of participants first heard about a pap test from a doctor (60%), about one quarter from their mother (24%), and less than a quarter from others (16%). More than half of women were aware of HPV (55%), while less than half were aware of the HPV vaccine (48%). Overall, we found that while most women had a high uptake of pap tests, they had low knowledge of the purpose of a pap test, the HPV vaccine, and transmission mode of HPV. They also had low awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine. Given that almost all cases of cervical cancer are due to HPV infection, future studies should aim to further explore the gap between knowledge and awareness of HPV and pap uptake.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Christina Avila, MD and Amrutha Pavle, MD for their contributions to the study.

Funding

Funding was obtained from the Texas Academy of Family Physicians Foundation Research Project Grant.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390-9165, USA

    Ruba Alafifi

  2. University of Texas Southwestern School of Health Professions, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390-9090, USA

    Tiffany B. Kindratt

  3. Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, 5920 Forest Park Rd Suite 652, Dallas, TX, 75325, USA

    Patti Pagels & Nora E. Gimpel

  4. Mansfield Medical Clinic, 221 Regency Pkwy #125, Mansfield, TX, 76063, USA

    Nadeen Saleh

Authors
  1. Ruba Alafifi
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  2. Tiffany B. Kindratt
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  3. Patti Pagels
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  4. Nadeen Saleh
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  5. Nora E. Gimpel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nora E. Gimpel.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Alafifi, R., Kindratt, T.B., Pagels, P. et al. Awareness and Knowledge of Human Papilloma Virus and Cervical Cancer in Women with High Pap Uptake. J Community Health 44, 332–338 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-018-0591-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-018-0591-0

Keywords

  • Cervical cancer screening
  • Pap test
  • HPV vaccine
  • Community-based participatory research
  • Underserved