title: Knowledge of HPV and Surgery among Women Who Underwent Cervical Conization: A Korean Multi-Center Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a well-known cause of cervical cancer, which, along with its precursors, can be diagnosed and treated with cervical conization (CC). This study aimed to assess HPV- and procedure-related knowledge among women who had undergone CC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between February and May 2014, consecutive women who had undergone CC at five different educational hospitals were recruited. All patients had undergone a loop electrosurgical excision procedure as the method of CC. A survey was conducted with a self-developed, 29-item questionnaire, measuring knowledge related to HPV and CC. We analyzed the responses of 160 patients who completed the questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean total knowledge scores (±standard deviation) for HPV and CC were 5.2±3.0 of a possible 13.0 and 8.3±4.2 of a possible 16.0, respectively. While 73% of the patients knew that HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, only 44% knew that HPV is sexually transmitted. The purpose of CC was correctly identified by 71% of the patients. However, 35% failed to indicate the anatomical area resected at the time of CC in the schematic diagram. Women who were younger (p<0.001), had higher education level (p<0.001), and higher family income (p=0.008) had higher knowledge scores. In contrast, neither interval from CC to survey nor disease severity were associated with total knowledge score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The level of knowledge related to HPV and CC was unexpectedly low in women who had undergone CC. Intuitive educational resources may improve this knowledge, and further cohort studies are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Center for Uterine Cancer and Gynecologic Cancer Branch, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: So Yeun
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Se Ik
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Center for Uterine Cancer and Gynecologic Cancer Branch, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea. gynlim@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Myong Cheol
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Yun
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: San Hui
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Jung
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inje University College of Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung Chul
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Weon
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Center for Uterine Cancer and Gynecologic Cancer Branch, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Yoon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D019092:Conization; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000502:physiology*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000821:virology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Knowledge; cervical cancer; human papillomavirus (HPV); surgery