The effect of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge level on cervical cancer beliefs in women

The study aimed to investigate the impact of HPV knowledge levels of women aged 18 to 65 years living in Turkey on their cervical cancer beliefs. The study was planned as a descriptive and cross-sectional research. The research questionnaire was created with Surveey.com online survey system and shared via social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc.), WhatsApp and e-mail, and 301 women between the ages of 18-65 were reached between November 2022 and April 2023. Data were collected using the "Personal Information Form", the "Human Papilloma Virus Knowledge Scale (HPV-KS)," and the "Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test (HBMS-CCPST)". The mean score of HPV-KS was 11.23±9.78. The mean scores of the subdimensions of HBMS-CCPST were as follows: perception of benefits and motivation of pap smear 3.87±0.92, perception of sensitivity to cervical cancer 2.55±0.88, perception of importance/seriousness of cervical cancer 3.13±0.85, perception of health motivation for cervical cancer 3.34±0.95, and perception of barriers to pap smear 2.51±0.80. A positive weak correlation of r=0.29 was found between the benefits of the pap smear and motivation and HPV-KS. A weak negative correlation of r=-0.48 was found between barriers to the pap smear and HPV-KS. The overall change in the benefits of pap smear and motivation level was explained by HPV-KS at 8.3% (R2=0.083). HPV knowledge level increased pap smear benefit and motivation (ß=0.293). The overall change in the level of barriers to pap smear is explained by HPV-KS at a rate of 22.9% (R2=0.229). HPV knowledge level lowers the level of barriers to pap smear (ß=-0.481). Women's high level of knowledge about HPV has a positive impact on their beliefs about cervical cancer. Education and counseling of women about HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening by health professionals will ensure the development of positive health behaviors.