Pap smear knowledge among young women following the introduction of the HPV vaccine.
OBJECTIVE
Investigate sexually active young women's knowledge of the term Pap smear since development of the HPV vaccine.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study conducted January-May 2007.


METHODS
University health services clinic at a university in southern United States.


METHODS
Sexually active women, age 18-24, presenting for a Pap smear or STD testing (N=145).


METHODS
Pap smear knowledge was assessed by participants' written definition of the term Pap smear and by multiple choice responses indicating Pap smear as a test for cervical cancer/ HPV and not a pelvic exam, STD test, or pregnancy test.


RESULTS
9.7% provided accurate definitions; 12.4% checked appropriate Pap smear synonyms. 68.5% incorrectly responded that Pap smear was the same as "pelvic exam"; 42.5% indicated "STD test"; 11.7% indicated "pregnancy test." Indicators of HPV risk (age of sexual debut, previous abnormal Pap smear, previous STD diagnosis) were not associated with knowledge. Never using condoms, increasing age, and lower depression scores predicted accurate Pap smear definition rating (R2=0.08). Never using condoms, Caucasian race, and decreased lifetime number of sex partners predicted accurate identification of Pap smear synonyms (R2=0.15).


RESULTS
Few participants understood the meaning of the term Pap smear; there does not appear to be improvement in women's knowledge after development of the HPV vaccine. Poor Pap smear knowledge may affect young women's understanding of their overall sexual health.
Head
Sara K
SK
College of Public Health at University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Crosby
Richard A
RA
Moore
Gregory R
GR
D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D013333:Student Health Services; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines