Knowledge and Attitudes of Bangkok Metropolitan Women towards HPV and Self-Sampled HPV Testing.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate knowledge of Bangkok women regarding HPV and self-sampled HPV testing, and their attitudes towards testing.


METHODS
Thai women who had lived in Bangkok for more than 5 years, aged 25-to-65 years old, were invited to join the study. Participating women were asked to a complete self-questionnaire (Thai language), with literate assistance as needed. The questionnaire was divided into 3 parts: (I) demographic data, (II) knowledge and (III) attitudes towards self-sampled HPV testing. Before proceeding to Part III of the questionnaire, a 15-minute educational video of self-sampled HPV testing was presented to all participants.


RESULTS
Among 2,810 women who answered the questionnaires, 33.7% reported that they did not know about HPV. The characteristic features of these women were older age (>50 years), lower income (<600 USD/month), unemployed status, and non-attendees at cervical cancer screening. Only small numbers of women (4.6%) responded that they had heard about self-sampled HPV testing. After having information, 59.6% would not use the self-sampled HPV testing as a method of cervical cancer screening (non-acceptance). Factors significantly associated with the non-acceptance were older age, lower income, having no knowledge about HPV or self-collected HPV testing, a perception that the testing was unreliable and a concern that they might not be able to perform it correctly.


CONCLUSIONS
Nearly half and almost all Bangkok women did not know about HPV and self-sampled HPV testing, respectively. Approximately 60% of Bangkok women refused to do the self-sampled HPV testing. Significant negative attitudes were concerns that the testing would be unreliable and a lack of confidence to perform the procedure correctly. Education about HPV and self-sampled HPV testing, ease of the procedure, or the testing models may increase rate of acceptability or positive attitudes.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand E-mail : siriwanonco@yahoo.com.
Thannaporn
T
Kittisiam
Siriwan
S
Tangjitgamol
Woraphot
W
Chaowawanit
Jakkapan
J
Khunnarong
Sunamchok
S
Srijaipracharoen
Thaowalai
T
Thavaramara
Kamol
K
Pataradool
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000821:virology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010465:Perception; D011379:Prognosis; D012648:Self Care; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000821:virology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000523:psychology*