Knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors and human papilloma virus vaccine among Saudi women of childbearing age: A community-based cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective: To examine the knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine among Saudi women of childbearing age. Methods: An anonymous, survey-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to March 2023. Results: Overall, 422 participants were included in the current study. Most participants were within the age group of 15-25 years old (42.9%), single (47.9%), and educated with a bachelor's degree (70%). Out of a total of 14 points, the average knowledge score for all participants was 7.3 ± 2.31 (range: 2-14). More than three-quarters of the surveyed participants correctly identified the following risk factors for cervical cancer: multiple sexual partners (78.2%), having weakened immunity (82.7%), infection with HPV (82.9%), and positive family history of cervical cancer (88.9%). Concerning HPV vaccine, 153 (36.3%) participants heard about HPV vaccine and only 20 (4.4%) of them were vaccinated. Only 128 (30.3%) participants stated correctly that 9-13 years old is the best age to start HPV vaccine, whereas 51 (12.1%) participants correctly stated the number of HPV vaccine doses to be three over six months. Overall, 167 (39.6%) participants declined to receive the HPV vaccine. The three most frequently reported reasons included not hearing about HPV vaccine (35.3%), fear from HPV-related side effects (30.5%), and apprehension from HPV vaccine injection (16.2%). Among several socio-demographic characteristics, occupation was statistically significantly associated with knowledge score (p < 0.001), with students in health specialties tended to have the highest knowledge score compared with others. Conclusion: Most participants displayed good knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors, but not about HPV vaccine. Very alarmingly, less than 5% of the participants received HPV vaccine and close to 40% of them declined to receive the HPV vaccine. Mechanisms to increase public awareness about HPV vaccine and its acceptance by women are recommended.