Knowledge and Beliefs Related to Cervical Cancer, Pap Smear Screening and HPV Vaccination among Women in Umm Al Qawain, UAE

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the level of knowledge of women pertaining to cervical cancer, pap smear screening, and HPV vaccination in Umm Al Qawain (UAQ) in the UAE. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Umm Al Qawain (UAQ) hospital. The study was piloted before the real study on 10 women who visited the Dermatology Clinic, UAQ hospital. Cronbach's alpha was used to test the level of internal consistency, determined at more than 80%. Questionnaires were distributed to 80 women who visited the outpatient gynecology clinic in the period (22-31December 2013). In total, 53 women participated in the study, with a response rate of 66%. Women were asked several questions that assess their knowledge about cervical cancer and its risk factors. They were also asked about their beliefs regarding Pap smear screening and HPV vaccination. Analyses of data were done using SPSS version 20. Ch2 tests were used to compare differences at 0.05 alpha level. Findings: The level of knowledge on cervical cancer was for the most part poor (58.5%). Only 4 women (7.5%) were assessed to have a “good” level of knowledge, whereas 18 of them were assessed to have “fair” level of knowledge (34%). Age, marital status and occupation were not associated with the level of cervical cancer knowledge among the women participating, whereas the level of education was found to be significant (p<0.05). In addition, positive beliefs toward cervical cancer, Pap smear screening, and HPV vaccination were noted. Conclusion: The knowledge of cervical cancer pertaining to Pap smear screening and HPV vaccination is inadequate. However, women in the UAQ have a positive attitude towards cervical cancer, Pap smear screening, and HPV vaccination. It is recommended that the Ministry of Health direct more substantial awareness programs toward women to improve their level of information about cervical cancer, Pap smear screening and HPV vaccination. Keywords: Cervical cancer, Pap smear, HPV, knowledge about cancer