title: HPV, Cervical Cancer and Pap Test Related Knowledge Among a Sample of Female Dental Students in India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study was designed to ascertain knowledge about HPV, cervical cancer (CC) and the Pap test among female dental students of Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Hyderabad, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-administered questionnaire covering demographic details, knowledge relating to human papilloma virus (HPV) (8 items), cervical cancer (4 items) and the Pap smear (6 items) was employed. Responses were coded as "True, False and Don't Know". Mean and standard deviation (SD) for correct answers and levels of knowledge were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on the year of study, significant differences in knowledge of HPV were noted for questions on symptoms (p=0.01); transmission from asymptomatic partners (p=0.002); treatment with antibiotics (p=0.002); start of sexual activity (p=0.004); and recommended age for HPV vaccination (p=0.01). For knowledge regarding CC, significance was observed for the age group being affected (p=0.008) and symptoms of the disease in early stages (p=0.001). Indications for Pap smear tests like symptoms' of vaginal discharge (p=0.002), marital status (p=0.01) and women with children (p=0.02) had significant difference based on the year of study. Based on religion, transmission of HPV via pregnancy, HPV related diseases except CC and preventive measures except condom use and oral contraceptives showed significant differences. However, significant variation with religion was observed only for two preventive measures of CC (Pap test; p=0.004) and HPV vaccination (p=0.003). Likewise, only the frequency of Pap test showed a significant difference for religion (p=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study emphasizes the lack of awareness with regard to HPV, CC and screening with pap smear even among health professionals. Hence, regular health campaigns are essential to reduce the disease burden.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Dentistry, Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Hyderabad, India E-mail : doshidolar@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Dolar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Doshi
authors.forename: B Srikanth
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karunakar
authors.forename: Kopparesh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deshpande
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D065006:Papanicolaou Test / Q000379:methods*; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000502:physiology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000821:virology; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000821:virology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines