HPV and cervical cancer related knowledge, awareness and testing behaviors in a community sample of female sex workers in China

Abstract

BackgroundLimited data suggested that the prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) among female sex workers (FSW) is much higher than in the general female population. The current study aimed to examine the HPV and cervical cancer related awareness, knowledge, and behaviors among FSW in China.MethodsA total of 360 FSW recruited from entertainment establishments in Beijing completed a self-administered survey including demographics, HPV related knowledge, and health-seeking and cervical cancer preventive behaviors.ResultsApproximately 70.8% of the participants ever heard of cervical cancer, and as few as 22.1% and 13.3% ever heard of HPV and HPV vaccine, respectively. The mean score on a 7-item knowledge scale was 2.2 (SD = 2.4). Less than 10% of FSW perceived any risk of cervical cancer, and only 15.3% ever had a Pap smear. About 40.8% of FSW would accept HPV vaccine if it is free, and 21.8% would accept it even with a charge. Multivariate regression suggested that women with better knowledge of cervical cancer were more likely to have a Pap smear (aOR = 1.35); women who had tested for HIV were 11 times more likely to have a Pap smear, and women who had worked longer in commercial sex (aOR = 1.01) and had regular health check-ups (aOR = 1.95) were more likely to accept HPV vaccine.ConclusionsOur study underscores the needs for effective cervical cancer prevention programs for FSW in China and other resource-limited countries. We specifically call for cervical cancer and HPV knowledge and awareness programs and regular screening as well as HPV risk-reduction programs for these vulnerable women.

Adana genelevinde çalışan seks işçilerinin serviks kanseri hakkındaki bilgi, tutum ve davranışları

“…Likely, it was discovered that HPV and the beginning of the sexual experience at an early age increases the risk of cervical cancer in a study similar to ours conducted in China 24 .…”

“…In our study, 56.3% and 53.4% of FSWs reported having heard of HPV and HPV vaccination, respectively. In a study conducted on FSWs in China, the rates of knowing HPV and HPV vaccination was lower than our study (22.1%, 13.3%) 24 . On the other hand half of FSWs were aware of the consequences of HPV infection in a study performed in Thailand 25 .…”

Knowledge, awareness and prevention of cervical cancer among women attending a rural based tertiary care centre, Theni, South India

“…Hence, extensive health education about cervical cancer to create awareness to the public is needed which could be channelled through health facility-based talks as well as mass media including the local FM radios. 8 Cervical cancer prevention campaigns should be conducted which should include husbands and local community leaders because they are essential in motivating women to participate in cervical screening programmes. 8 This study has some limitations and measurement bias.…”

Awareness and acceptance of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among males attending a major sexual health clinic in Wuxi, China: A cross-sectional study

“…34 Even among sex workers -women who are the highest risk for HPV infection -despite the majority (71%) had heard of cervical cancer, only 22% had ever heard of HPV and 13.3% had ever heard of HPV vaccine, with presumably even less knowing the linkage between HPV and cervical cancer. 35 Among MSM less than 1 in 5 (18.3%) were willing to pay for HPV vaccine given its high price and just more than a third (34.9%) would be willing to disclose their sexuality to a doctor in order to get HPV vaccine, even if it was free of charge to MSM. Our figure on the acceptance of HPV vaccine among MSM was lower than that in a recently published systematic review on data from various countries (36-74%).…”

“…Existing studies showed that the median age of first sex was 20 years among MSM 38 and 19 among MNSM. 35 HPV vaccine was recommended to be taken before sex debut. This was the reason we chose the age of 20 years among MSM and 19 among MNSM as cut-off age in comparing the willingness to take free vaccine.…”