Knowledge and Awareness of Female Sex Workers towards Human Papillomavirus Infection in Turkey

Abstract

SUMMARYObjective: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and awareness of female sex workers (FSWs) about human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in Turkey.Methods: 239 brothel-based FSWs were recruited for an interview. A questionnaire was completed by face to face interview. The demographic features, the level of knowledge, and awareness about HPV infection of the participants were recorded.Results: A total of 152 (63.6%) were over 30 years of age, and 210 (87.9%) completed primary education. 122 FSWs (50.9%) were using condom, and about one third had high frequency of sexual contacts. Knowledge scores were ≤4 in 181 (75.7%) FSWs. Low education and higher age group were not significant predictors of low knowledge scores. Low education was not an independent risk factor for awareness but higher age group participants were significantly less aware of risks associated with HPV infection (p = 0.019) although overall score was very poor (0.60 ± 0.68).Conclusions: The knowledge and awareness about HPV infection and its possible consequences (cervical cancer) as well as the utility of screening methods among FSWs in Turkey are extremely poor. HPV-focused educational programmes for targeted populations, e.g. FSWs and young adults prior to their sexual activity, should be launched urgently to increase awareness of the risks associated with HPV infection and thus reducing the incidence of cervical cancer in Turkey in the future.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors of Women Over 20 Years Old on Cervix Cancer in Istanbul, Turkey

“…HPV and cervical cancer knowledge level of women is lower than ours in many studies (Khoo et al, 2011;Hoque et al, 2013;Al-Azri et al, 2014). There are lower results than our study (Ersan et al, 2012), higher results than our study (Coskun et al, 2014) and similar results to our study (Ozyer et al, 2013) about 'HPV causes cervical cancer' in the literature. Results in the literature vary.…”

“…'Cervical cancer can be prevented' was mostly expressed second (77.7%) correctly after 'Some viruses cause cervical cancer' by women. In studies conducted in Turkey, thinking rate about -they could be protected from cervical cancerwere lower than the results of research (Ersan et al, 2012;Coskun et al, 2013;Tascı-Duran and Unsal-Atan, 2013). Thought of women that they can be protected from cervical cancer may promote effect of motivation in this regard.…”

“…Nearly half of the women (48.7%) Knowledge, Attitudes, Behavior of Women Regarding Cervix Cancer in Istanbul, Turkey answered correctly to the statement of 'Cervical cancer vaccines exist'. The ratios for knowledge of existence of vaccine for cervical cancer were between 17.1% -78.4% (Uysal and Birsel, 2009;Khoo et al, 2011;Ersan et al, 2012;Reis et al, 2012;Bekar et al ., 2013;Ortashi et al, 2013;Sahin et al, 2014;Wen et al, 2014;Yilmazel and Duman, 2014). In the literature there were both higher and lower results.…”

An explorative study on the use of condom among direct commercial female sex workers in Sanur

“…Research on 239 respondents in Turkey outlined a low education and a higher age group did not become a significant predictor of low knowledge scores. Low education is not an independent risk factor for awareness, but higher age group participants have a significantly lower level of awareness of the risks associated with sexually transmitted infections [10].…”

Tıp fakültesi öğrencilerinin HPV ve HPV aşısı ile ilgili bilgi, tutum ve davranışları

“…Although this awareness seems to be associated with level of education and income, it varies among countries depending on its social structure, degree of conservatism and the age of the first sexual intercourse. Studies have been conducted in different parts of Turkey investigating the level of knowledge about HPV infection and vaccine [8][9][10].…”