Study of attitudes and knowledge toward human papilloma virus of women aged 15–26 years in Zahedan City in 2024

الملخص

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common skin and sexually transmitted infections. The prevalence of this infection has been increasing in recent years. Increasing the level of knowledge and awareness of people leads to the prevention of infection with this virus and subsequently decreases the number of cervical cancer patients. The present study was conducted to determine the awareness and attitude toward HPV in women of Zahedan City. METHODS AND MATERIAL: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 26 comprehensive health service centers in Zahedan City in 2023. A multistage cluster sampling is proposed for selecting comprehensive urban and suburban health centers. Overall, there were 20,482 women aged 15 to 26; by random sampling method and according to Morgan's table, 320 women were selected. Information related to awareness and attitude was completed using a questionnaire. SPSS 22 software was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The average age of the participants in the study was 21 ± 3 years, 231 women (72.2%) were housewives, and 61 and 28 women (8.8%) were students and employed, respectively. The knowledge score about this virus was very low in the range of 4.39 ± 5.01. The level of attitude was reported as average 18.57 ± 2.80. In addition, the findings showed a relationship between the level of education, occupation, and family income with people's awareness of HPV. Moreover, single people also had a higher awareness and attitude toward this disease. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing the various programs and interventions to improve the knowledge and awareness of people, especially women, about ways to prevent HPV, especially in vulnerable provinces, such as Sistan and Bauchistan, seems necessary. In addition, due to the prevalence of polygamy in this province and the low average age of marriage, awareness programs in this province should be followed more seriously at different levels from school to university, and also in case of vaccination, this province should be given first priority.

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