Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Human Papillomavirus among Japanese Women

Nakao, Yuki; Sasaki, AI; Obara, Taku; Abe, Shinya; Furusaki, Kaori; Higaki, Mari; Yoshimachi, Shouko; Gotou, Teruaki

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2020.21.12.3527

Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Human Papillomavirus among Japanese Women

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Tsuruha Pharmacies Co., Ltd. Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.

² Division of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Tohoku University Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Sendai, Japan.

³ Department of Molecular and Epidemiology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.

⁴ Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.

⁵ Tsuruha Holdings, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.

10.31557/APJCP.2020.21.12.3527

Abstract

Background: The combination of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and cervical cancer tests are globally recommended. Although knowledge regarding cervical cancer and HPV and experience of HPV vaccination are reportedly closely associated, the associations between knowledge and frequency of cervical cancer testing are unclear. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey regarding the knowledge of cervical cancer and HPV and experience of HPV vaccination and frequency of cervical cancer testing including cervical cytology and HPV testing. Results: Among 99 women who visited Tsuruha Festa, most of the 77 non-medical workers who received information on cervical cancer and HPV through the Internet were not more likely to have knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV than were 12 medical workers who had gotten information in vocational school or university curriculum. The rates of HPV vaccination, cervical cytology, and HPV testing were 4.0%, 14.1%, and 4.0%, respectively, among participants and did not differ significantly according to participant job and age. Knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV was associated with experience of HPV vaccination and frequency of cervical cytology and was not associated with frequency of HPV testing. Conclusions: We observed insufficient knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV among non-medical workers as well as low HPV vaccination, cervical cytology, and HPV testing rates, and knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV to which frequency of cervical cancer testing were partially related. Therefore, the government should take measures to enhance public awareness about cervical cancer and HPV through social media such as the Internet.

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