title: Cervical cancer prevention and health inequalities: an ad-hoc survey in Italian women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer prevention in a sample of 2400 Italian women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted through a standardized questionnaire administered in the workplace.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regular Pap testing was reported by 65.6% of the sample, and 86.9% were aware of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Just over half of the women (51.8%) stated that they would pay for the vaccine for themselves or family members. Significant differences in responses were associated with monthly income and educational level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Introduction of payment for the HPV vaccine may increase health inequalities significantly. For overall improvement in the quality of life, effective prevention and treatment services should be made available to all.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11 - 70124 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Napoli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tafuri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chironna
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quarto
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Da Molin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008875:Middle Aged; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines