Awareness and knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer in female students: A survey (with a cautionary note)

Minshall, C; Coombes, R; Cooper, J; Redman, CW; Sherman, SM; Nailer, E

doi:10.3109/01443615.2015.1041886

Awareness and knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer in female students: A survey (with a cautionary note)

Minshall, C; Coombes, R; Cooper, J; Redman, CW; Sherman, SM; Nailer, E

Authors

C Minshall

R Coombes

J Cooper

CW Redman

Dr Susan Sherman s.m.sherman@keele.ac.uk

E Nailer

Abstract

We conducted a survey to explore levels of awareness and knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer in 170 female students and whether mode of data collection (online vs. paper) affected the results. 27% of women named HPV as a cause of cervical cancer with online respondents more likely to do so. 75% of women had heard of HPV. More online respondents had heard of HPV than paper respondents. 127 women reported having heard of HPV, with a mean knowledge score of 2.989 (standard deviation [SD] 1.599). Online respondents scored higher (3.57, SD 1.316) than paper respondents (2.688, SD 1.591). Knowledge and awareness of HPV and its link to cervical cancer appear to have increased which may be related to the HPV vaccination programme. However, there is still a considerable number of women with little to no knowledge of HPV. Online surveys may result in an inflated estimation of awareness and knowledge.

Acceptance Date	Sep 25, 2015
Publication Date	Sep 25, 2015
Journal	Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Print ISSN	0144-3615
Publisher	Taylor and Francis
Pages	76 -80
DOI	https://doi.org/10.3109/01443615.2015.1041886
Keywords	cervical cancer, HPV awareness, online survey, students, women
Publisher URL	http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/01443615.2015.1041886