title: [Human papilloma virus: knowledge, beliefs and behavior of Quebec women].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A program providing free immunization against human papillomavirus (HPV) was launched in the province of Quebec in 2008. A survey was conducted to describe the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of young women in Quebec regarding HPV infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2009, a questionnaire was sent by mail to 2,400 women, 24 years of age, randomly selected from the Quebec provincial health insurance database (RAMQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall response rate was 56%. More than 80% of participants had heard of HPV and HPV vaccine. Less than half knew the mode of transmission of HPV. More than 80% of participants knew the causes of cervical cancer. Most women said they were dissatisfied with the information received on HPV. Only 5% of participants had received the HPV vaccine. The average age at first sexual intercourse was 17 years. More than 80% of participants had been screened for cervical cancer with an average age for screening initiation of 18 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provided basic data from a representative sample of women, 24 years of age, in Quebec. Although most women surveyed had heard of HPV and the vaccine, gaps remained in their knowledge in addition to a dissatisfaction about the information they received. A better way to inform the young adult population should be developed.
authors.affiliation: Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Université Laval, Québec, QC. marilou_kiely@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
authors.forename: Marilou
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiely
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sauvageau
authors.forename: Eve
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dubé
authors.forename: Geneviève
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Deceuninck
authors.forename: Phillippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Wals
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines