title: Knowledge of Pap smear, HPV and the HPV vaccine and the acceptability of the HPV vaccine by Thai women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary prevention for cervical cancer, a human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, has been available in Thailand for almost 3 years. The present study evaluates knowledge about the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear, HPV and the HPV vaccine and focuses on identifying predictors for the acceptability of the HPV vaccine.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 764 women attending the gynecology clinic at Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, was asked to answer a questionnaire on their personal background, their knowledge of the Pap smear and HPV and the HPV vaccine and the acceptability of the HPV vaccine for themselves and their daughters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Knowledge of the Pap smear (96%) is higher than that of HPV (41%) and the HPV vaccine (36%). Only 40% of participants had previously heard about HPV. The acceptability of the HPV vaccine for participants and their daughters was high, 77% and 84%, respectively. Knowing about HPV increases acceptance for the HPV vaccine (adjusted OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.2-2.5, in the participants and OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.5-3.6 in their daughters). Participants younger than 45 years old (OR = 2.3 and 95% CI = 1.6-3.4 for themselves; OR = 2.2 and 95% CI = 1.4-3.3 for their daughters) were more likely to accept the vaccination than those aged 45 years old and above.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge about HPV and the HPV vaccine is generally poor in Thai women. However, the acceptability of the HPV vaccine is good. Knowing about HPV and age under 45 years predict the acceptability of the HPV vaccine.
authors.affiliation: Gynecological Oncology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. chuenkamonc@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Chuenkamon
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Charakorn
authors.forename: Sasivimol
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rattanasiri
authors.forename: Arb-aroon
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Lertkhachonsuk
authors.forename: Duangmani
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thanapprapasr
authors.forename: Suwicha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chittithaworn
authors.forename: Sarikapan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wilailak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D014626:Vaginal Smears
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines