title: Influence of risk-taking health behaviours of adolescents on cervical cancer prevention: a Hungarian survey.
abstract: An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among the Hungarian adolescents to establish their use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs in relation to sexual behaviours, knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, and beliefs and attitudes towards screening and vaccination. Results indicated that adolescent risk-taking health behaviours correlate with risky sexual behaviours. As risk-taking behaviours do not correlate with a better awareness of the risk associated with HPV infection, it is of crucial importance that HPV/cervical cancer preventing educational programmes shall be sensitive to this 'vulnerable' population and draw the attention of these adolescents to their increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases and undesired pregnancies. Well-designed behavioural change interventions may be effective when in addition to providing adolescents (both men and women) with clear information about the implications of an HPV infection, they also aim to improve safer sex behaviours: consistent condom usage, limiting the number of sex partners, as well as encouraging regular participation in gynaecological screenings and uptake of the HPV vaccine. As this study population demonstrated positive attitudes towards the primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer, the free HPV vaccination for the 12-13-year-old girls in Autumn 2014 will hopefully increase the currently low uptake of the vaccine in Hungary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marek
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Berenyi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Bioanalysis, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dergez
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kiss
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Cruz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adolescents; cervical cancer; human papillomavirus; prevention; risk-taking health behaviour; risky sexual behaviour