title: Knowledge of Saudi female university students regarding cervical cancer and acceptance of the human papilloma virus vaccine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the level of knowledge regarding cervical cancer and the acceptance of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine among Saudi female students in health colleges.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study of a convenient sample encompassed 1400 students in Health Colleges at Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was conducted between December 2013 and February 2014. A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed to all participants. Data collected included socio-demographic data, knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and clinical presentation, Pap smear, and HPV vaccine acceptance. The questionnaire reliability as tested by Cronbach's alpha was 0.82.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 89.9%, and data analysis revealed that 95.7% of students had poor knowledge level. The Pap smear was poorly recognized as a screening tool, with 46.7% of students having heard of the test. Senior and medical students had a significantly higher knowledge score. Father's health profession, high monthly income, and presence of cervical cancer among family members or friends increased the level of knowledge. Vaccine acceptance is influenced by its price, approximately 80% of students thought that an affordable vaccine price should not exceed 300 Saudi Riyals. Perceived barriers to the vaccine were fear of injections and vaccine side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a lack of knowledge and misinformation regarding cervical cancer, Pap smear, and HPV as a major risk factor for cancer of the cervix. These data can be used as a benchmark to formulate effective awareness programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel. +966 (11) 4699339. Fax. +966 (11) 4679557. E-mail. ghadeer-alshaikh@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ghadeer K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Al-Shaikh
authors.forename: Eman M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Almussaed
authors.forename: Amel A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Fayed
authors.forename: Farida H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Sadiqa B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Syed
authors.forename: Tahani N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Al-Tamimi
authors.forename: Hala N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Elmorshedy
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D013336:Students, Health Occupations; D014495:Universities; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines