title: [Knowledge of human papilloma virus (HPV) and acceptance of vaginal self-sampling among Mexican woman].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the relationship between the level of knowledge about human papilloma virus and the acceptance of vaginal self-sampling as a cervical cancer diagnostic test among Mexican women who have already experienced vaginal self-sampling at home.
  
  
  METHODS
  A structured questionnaire consisting of 22 questions was applied to 690 women in the state of Morelos who had taken a vaginal self-sample at home. The aspects explored were the level of knowledge about transmission of the human papilloma virus, identification of the virus as a necessary cause of cervical cancer, and clinical manifestations of infection and treatment. A knowledge index was constructed, identifying the relationship between the index and the women's acceptance of self-sampling, and their degree of trust in the procedure. The statistical analysis included a logistic regression with estimates of measures of association and their respective 95% confidence intervals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of knowledge about human papillomavirus showed a positive association with the degree of acceptance of vaginal self-sampling (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.0-5.01) and the women's level of confidence (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.8-4.67). The level of knowledge increased with level of education and was higher in younger women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In order for women with an increased risk of cervical cancer to continue participating in vaginal self-sampling, they must be well informed about the virus. This is especially true for older women, those with lower levels of education, and those in lower socioeconomic levels.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública de México, Cuernavaca, México, acruz@insp.mx.
authors.forename: Clara I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Hernández-Márquez
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), México, asalinas@correo.xoc.uam.mx.
authors.forename: Addis A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Salinas-Urbina
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública de México, Cuernavaca, México, acruz@insp.mx.
authors.forename: Aurelio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cruz-Valdez
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública de México, Cuernavaca, México, acruz@insp.mx.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hernández-Girón
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000523:psychology*