Implementing a HPV vaccination program is currently under evaluation by the Turkish health ministry. For screening and vaccination programs to be successful, the cooperation of nurses is essential. We aimed to evaluate (1) basic knowledge of nurses and nursing interns regarding HPV infection and cervical cancer, (2) their attitudes towards smear testing and HPV vaccination, and (3) their viewpoint on vaccination of school age children. This cross-sectional study was undertaken at Bezmialem Vakif University. The survey was designed to assess knowledge about HPV infection, Pap smear testing, cervical cancer, HPV vaccine, attitudes towards HPV vaccination, and school-based vaccination programs. Validity content was determined by expert gynecologists, and a pilot study was performed on 10 nurses. A total of 550 questionnaires were handed out; 499 were completed. Our response rate was 90.7%. Fifty-nine participants answered all the knowledge questions correctly. The calculated knowledge score of the female participants was 6.99 ± 2.22, the male participants was 5.89 ± 2.92. Female participants were more knowledgeable (p < 0.0001). Out of the 353 female participants, 18.6% (n = 66) had undergone smear testing. There were 20 (5.6%) female and 6 (4%) male participants who were vaccinated against HPV. The leading answer for not having a HPV vaccine was "I'm not at risk for a HPV infection" (n = 106, 34.9%). There was a statistical relationship between "HPV knowledge score" and answering "Yes" to "Do you want your children/future children to be vaccinated? (p = 0.001) and "Do you think including the vaccine in the Turkish immunization program is necessary?" (p = 0.001). Nurses in our cohort seem to have satisfactory basic knowledge regarding HPV infection; however, their viewpoints on vaccination were not favorable. Strategies and intervention materials for HPV vaccination will be necessary if a national immunization program will be initiated.
Objective:To investigate whether there were any differences in the quality of life, sexual function, and self-esteem of patients who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) (n=42) and total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) (n=42).Materials and Methods:All premenopausal patients who underwent TLH or TAH because of benign uterine disorders were enrolled. The sexual function and quality of life status were assessed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively using three standardized validated questionnaires: the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES).Results:Preoperative ASEX, SCL-90-R and RSES scores were not different among the hysterectomy subgroups. The postoperative SCL-90-R scores were also not different among the hysterectomy subgroups. The postoperative RSES scores were significantly lower (p<0.05) than the preoperative scores for all procedures (indicating improved self-esteem) but did not differ among the groups. The postoperative ASEX scores were significantly decreased (p<0.01) as compared with the preoperative scores (indicating improved sexual function). When the average score of each item of the ASEX score was compared in both groups, significant differences were observed in sexual drive and arousal in the laparoscopy group (p<0.01).Conclusion:Women undergoing TLH for benign uterine disease may have better outcomes related to certain sexual function parameters than women undergoing TAH.
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