A Sociological Study of Social Factors Related to Girls’ Awareness and Attitude toward Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Shiraz

Abstract

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases that could lead to cervical cancer. The current study aimed to assess the awareness of young girls about HPV and the relevant current sources of information about HPV. The present work also investigated the social factors related to young girls’ awareness of HPV. Method: Methodologically, this was a cross-sectional study. The sample population was 303 single girls living in Shiraz, Iran. We used quota sampling. The data collection was carried out during October to November 2018. Data gathering tool included a two-part questionnaire: demographic information and HPV awareness measurement questionnaire. The validity of HPV awareness measurement questionnaire was confirmed by experts and its reliability was also assessed with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.942. We analyzed the data via descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 21. Results: The findings of the present research showed that the participants’ mean awareness of HPV was 5.84 out of 23. A total of 48.5% of the respondents had information about HPV prior to this study, among which the awareness score was 10.12. There was a significant relationship between education level (p <0.001), monthly income, type of occupation (p <0.001), and field of study (p <0.001) with HPV awareness. Conclusion: Considering low awareness of girls about HPV, cultural, health, and governmental institutions, as well as non-profit organizations, need to make efforts to educate and inform the public about HPV and its transmission routes, which may result in the reduction of HPV-related diseases, including cervical cancer.

Keywords

• alphapapillomavirus (hpv)
• uterine cervical neoplasms
• awareness
• women
• sexual transmitted disease (std)