People seeking health information about human papillomavirus via the internet have a very high level of anxiety.
A website with evidence-based information on human papillomavirus (HPV) has been developed at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. Visitors were asked to fill in a web-based form, including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), to obtain information on their profile. During the study period, 232 of 3638 (6.4%) visitors filled in the form. In our study, people looking for HPV information on the internet showed high anxiety levels. Three determinants contributed to the STAI score: a previous HPV-test, young age, and not feeling reassured by the website's content. It is warranted that physicians counsel their patients on HPV-related issues in the context of cervical cancer screening.
Verhoeven
Veronique
V
Baay
Marc
M
Baay
Pieter
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001530:Belgium; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008490:Medical Informatics; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires