Knowledge, attitude and practice in primary and secondary cervical cancer prevention among young adult Italian women.
In Italy since 2007 vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) is offered to 11-year-old females, whereas vaccination for older age groups is still a matter of debate. To assess Italian young women's knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding primary and secondary cervical cancer prevention a cross-sectional study among young women aged 18-26 years was conducted in 2008. The survey collected information on in-depth awareness and knowledge regarding Pap testing, HPV infection, HPV vaccine and cervical cancer. The response rate was 57.7% with a wide range of variability (34-84%) amongst local health units. Among 667 women who participated in the survey poor awareness and various misconceptions regarding HPV and cervical cancer prevention were detected. Overall women were found to be more knowledgeable about Pap smears and cervical cancer than about HPV infection and the HPV vaccine. Respondents pointed to their healthcare providers as their most trusted source for medical information. Understanding women's knowledge on cervical cancer prevention, as well as related factors is important in helping to achieve and maintain adherence to cervical cancer preventive strategies. Moreover in order to minimize cervical cancer risk by improving women's adherence to preventive strategies, appropriate and adequate information dissemination, and guidance from health professionals appear to be crucial elements.
Unit of Woman, Child and Adolescent Health, National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy. serena.donati@iss.it
Serena
S
Donati
Cristina
C
Giambi
Silvia
S
Declich
Stefania
S
Salmaso
Antonietta
A
Filia
Marta Luisa
ML
Ciofi degli Atti
Maria Pia
MP
Alibrandi
Silvia
S
Brezzi
Francesca
F
Carozzi
Natalina
N
Collina
Daniela
D
Franchi
Amedeo
A
Lattanzi
Margherita
M
Meda
Maria Carmela
MC
Minna
Roberto
R
Nannini
Giuseppina
G
Gallicchio
Antonino
A
Bella
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines