Knowledge and practices of nurses on cervical cancer, HPV and HPV vaccine in Cankiri state hospital, Turkey.
To determine knowledge and practices of nurses on cervical cancer, human papillomavirus and its vaccine.



This descriptive study was conducted at Cankiri Karatekin University, Cankiri, Turkey, from December 2015 to January 2016, and included nurses. . A survey was used to collect data about socio-demographic features and knowledge and practices on cervical cancer and screening, signs and symptoms of cervical cancer and human papillomavirus vaccine. SPSS 16 was used for data analysis.



Of the 110(61.1%) participants, 83(75.5%), 78(70.9%) and 45(40.9%) did not know risk factors of cervical cancer, signs of cervical cancer and how to protect oneself against cervical cancer, respectively. Moreover, 56(50.9%), 85(77.3%) and 60(54.5%) knew the route of transmission of human papillomavirus, risk factors of human papillomavirus and its vaccine, respectively. Besides, 2(1.8%) nurses received human papillomavirus vaccine. Also, 11(10%) nurses received a regular Pap smear test and 19(17.3%) received a regular gynaecological examination. The reasons given for not having the examinations were being sexually inactive in 28(25.5%) cases, not feeling the need for an examination 26(23.6%), shying away from gynaecological examinations 13(11.8%), and having inadequate knowledge 6(5.5%). Significantly higher rates of the nurses aged >40 years, having given birth, and having regular gynaecological examinations had a Pap smear test (p<0.05).



Knowledge of nurses about risk factors, signs and prevention of cervical cancer were found to be below the desired level.
Nursing Department, Cankiri Karatekin University, School of Health, Turkey.
Ilknur
I
Gol
Public Health Nursing Department, Ege University, Faculty of Nursing, Turkey.
OzUm
O
Erkin
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006783:Hospitals, State; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
Cervical cancer, HPV, HPV vaccine, Nurse. 