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Assessment of women’s knowledge on HPV vaccinations

Dawid Rowiński1, Jan Baran2, Aneta Podczerwińska3, Katarzyna Chamera-Cyrek4, Oliwia Sikora5, Dominika Prokop3, Mikołaj Borek1, Clara Kuzminski6, Wojciech Kupczak7, Kamil Marzec7, Wiktor Jabłoński7, Agnieszka Nawara-Baran8

Affiliation and address for correspondence
Pediatr Med Rodz 2024; 20 (3): 342–348
DOI: 10.15557/PiMR.2024.0051
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Abstract

Introduction and objective: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide among women according to the World Health Organization (2022). This cancer is curable; however, early detection and prompt implementation of appropriate treatment are crucial. The aim of the study was to analyse the level of knowledge about vaccination against HPV among patients receiving care at the “Volumed” Specialised Clinics. Materials and methods: The study included 153 female patients of “Volumed” Specialised Clinics, aged between 18 and 70. The largest group of female patients had a university education and lived in cities with more than 500,000 residents. The patients filled out a questionnaire containing 23 closed questions with the possibility of providing one or more answers. Results: Most women (92%) were knowledgeable about HPV vaccination. Despite this, one in four women did not want to vaccinate their child. Women with a low and moderate socioeconomic status were more likely to be unaware of the existence of a vaccine against HPV. Conclusions: One in four women in the surveyed group did not want to vaccinate their child against HPV infection. Among these women, 83% were aware of the vaccine. Women’s socioeconomic status influences their awareness of the HPV vaccine. Knowledge of HPV complications beyond cervical cancer is at an insufficient level, and only women with higher education had adequate knowledge in this regard. Only a small percentage of were aware of the rules of the free cervical cancer prevention program.

Keywords
knowledge, vaccination, HPV, cervical cancer, human papillomavirus

Oświadczam, że posiadam prawo wykonywania zawodu lekarza i jestem uprawniony do otrzymywania specjalistycznych informacji medycznych. Chcę zapoznać się z informacją z serwisu.