title: Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer knowledge, health beliefs, and preventative practices in older women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore knowledge of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, health beliefs, and preventative practices in women 40 to 70 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional descriptive.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three urban ambulatory Obstetrics and Gynecology offices connected with a teaching hospital's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Mid-Atlantic section of the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of 149 women age 40 to 70.
  
  
  METHODS
  To assess HPV and cervical cancer knowledge, health beliefs, and preventative practices a self-administered survey, the Awareness of HPV and Cervical Cancer Questionnaire was distributed to women as they waited for their well-woman gynecologic exam.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean knowledge score was 7.39 (SD=3.42) out of 15. One third of the questions about the relationship of HPV and risks for cervical cancer were answered incorrectly by more than 75% of these women. Although most appreciate the seriousness of cervical cancer, they believed themselves not particularly susceptible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need for HPV and cervical cancer awareness and education for women older than age 40. Women's health care professionals are well positioned to act as a catalyst to improve HPV and cervical cancer knowledge, health beliefs, and preventative practice to ensure optimum health promotion for all women.
authors.affiliation: Drexel University College of Nursing & Health Professions, 245 N. 15thStreet, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA. kae33@drexel.edu
authors.forename: Kymberlee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: Joan Rosen
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bloch
authors.forename: Anand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.forename: Owen
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Montgomery
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D008873:Mid-Atlantic Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology