{"title":"Awareness Level of Cervical Cancer Patients Referred to Radiation Oncology Outpatient Clinics-A Multicenter Study.","authors":"Pelin Altinok, Şefika Arzu Ergen, Zeliha Güzelöz Çapar, Emine Canyilmaz, Züleyha Akgün, Meltem Serin, Canan Akbaş, Meryem Aktan, Eda Erdiş, Hilal Kiziltunç Özmen, Enis Özyar, Ahmetcan Çağlar, Filiz Munzuroğlu Ak, Mehmet Fatih Akyüz, Ayşe Altinok","doi":"10.1097/LGT.0000000000000798","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of patients with cervical cancer referred to radiation oncology outpatient clinics in Turkey regarding screening methods and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and increase social awareness based on the findings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to June 2022 involving 300 patients in various regions. Data on demographics, cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination knowledge, and recommendations to relatives were collected through a questionnaire-based interview. Univariate logistic regression analyzed the impact of independent variables on knowledge levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the participants, 57% were unaware of cervical cancer screening, and 66% had no knowledge of the HPV vaccine. Higher knowledge levels were associated with higher education, older age at marriage and first birth, and previous gynecological checkups. Lower knowledge levels were observed in patients treated at state institutions, with no formal education, and diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 60 or older. A significant inverse correlation was found between knowledge levels and the stage of cancer at diagnosis, with higher awareness in earlier stages.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study revealed limited awareness among cervical cancer patients in Turkey regarding screening and HPV vaccination. Lower knowledge levels were associated with specific demographic factors, emphasizing the importance of targeted educational campaigns to reduce the burden of cervical cancer and promote early detection. Efforts to enhance vaccination coverage and encourage early screening can significantly improve outcomes. Comprehensive awareness surveys are essential in guiding policymaking and implementing effective early detection and prevention strategies for cervical cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":50160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease","volume":" ","pages":"143-148"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4000,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1097/LGT.0000000000000798","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2024/3/5 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of patients with cervical cancer referred to radiation oncology outpatient clinics in Turkey regarding screening methods and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and increase social awareness based on the findings.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to June 2022 involving 300 patients in various regions. Data on demographics, cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination knowledge, and recommendations to relatives were collected through a questionnaire-based interview. Univariate logistic regression analyzed the impact of independent variables on knowledge levels.
Results: Among the participants, 57% were unaware of cervical cancer screening, and 66% had no knowledge of the HPV vaccine. Higher knowledge levels were associated with higher education, older age at marriage and first birth, and previous gynecological checkups. Lower knowledge levels were observed in patients treated at state institutions, with no formal education, and diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 60 or older. A significant inverse correlation was found between knowledge levels and the stage of cancer at diagnosis, with higher awareness in earlier stages.
Conclusion: The study revealed limited awareness among cervical cancer patients in Turkey regarding screening and HPV vaccination. Lower knowledge levels were associated with specific demographic factors, emphasizing the importance of targeted educational campaigns to reduce the burden of cervical cancer and promote early detection. Efforts to enhance vaccination coverage and encourage early screening can significantly improve outcomes. Comprehensive awareness surveys are essential in guiding policymaking and implementing effective early detection and prevention strategies for cervical cancer.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease is the source for the latest science about benign and malignant conditions of the cervix, vagina, vulva, and anus.
The Journal publishes peer-reviewed original research original research that addresses prevalence, causes, mechanisms, diagnosis, course, treatment, and prevention of lower genital tract disease. We publish clinical guidelines, position papers, cost-effectiveness analyses, narrative reviews, and systematic reviews, including meta-analyses. We also publish papers about research and reporting methods, opinions about controversial medical issues. Of particular note, we encourage material in any of the above mentioned categories that is related to improving patient care, avoiding medical errors, and comparative effectiveness research. We encourage publication of evidence-based guidelines, diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms, and decision aids. Original research and reviews may be sub-classified according to topic: cervix and HPV, vulva and vagina, perianal and anal, basic science, and education and learning.
The scope and readership of the journal extend to several disciplines: gynecology, internal medicine, family practice, dermatology, physical therapy, pathology, sociology, psychology, anthropology, sex therapy, and pharmacology. The Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease highlights needs for future research, and enhances health care.
The Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease is the official journal of the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease, and the International Federation of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy, and sponsored by the Australian Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology and the Society of Canadian Colposcopists.