Table 3 Measuring knowledge level about HPV and cancer cervix.

HPV infection results from vaginal, anal or oral sexual contact with an infected person

The most important cause is HPV infection

Yes

534 (45.6)

Yes

524 (44.7)

No

194 (16.6)

No

195 (16.6)

I don’t Know

444 (37.9)

I don’t Know

453 (38.7)

It is transmitted through direct contact with contaminated surfaces, causes common warts *

Early sexual activity is a risk factor

Yes

383 (32.7)

Yes

525 (44.8)

No

303 (25.9)

No

237 (20.2)

I don’t Know

486 (41.5)

I don’t Know

410 (35)

Its symptoms are genital warts (small, skin-colored or gray growths)

Increased number of births is a risk factor

Yes

524 (44.7)

Yes

402 (34.3)

No

191 (16.3)

No

307 (26.2)

I don’t Know

457 (39)

I don’t Know

463 (39.5)

It may cause itching, discomfort or bleeding during intercourse in women

Vaginal bleeding between periods or after menopause

Yes

502 (42.8)

Yes

441 (37.6)

No

195 (16.6)

No

257 (21.9)

I don’t Know

475 (40.5)

I don’t Know

474 (40.4)

It may be transmitted during birth from an infected mother to her child

Vaginal discharge (watery/or strong odor or contains blood

458 (39.1)

Yes

404 (34.5)

Yes

No

249 (21.2)

No

213 (18.2)

I don’t Know

519 (44.3)

I don’t Know

501 (42.7)

It affects the respiratory system, especially the larynx. It may cause hoarseness, difficulty breathing, or airway obstruction

HPV vaccination reduces its rates

Yes

334 (28.5)

Yes

461 (39.3)

No

278 (23.7)

No

213 (18.2)

I don’t Know

560 (47.8)

I don’t Know

498 (42.5)

It may cause cancer in men and women

It is a genetic disease*

Yes

508 (43.3)

Yes

287 (24.5)

No

216 (18.4)

No

381 (32.5)

I don’t Know

448 (38.2)

I don’t Know

504 (43.0)

Inflammation that affects only women*

Early detection by cervical screening

Yes

264 (22.5)

Yes

570 (48.6)

No

444 (37.9)

No

210 (17.9)

I don’t Know

464 (39.6)

I don’t Know

392 (33.4)

May lead to vaginal, penile and anal cancer

A cervical examination is sufficient only once*

Yes

472 (40.3)

Yes

244 (20.8)

No

210 (17.9)

No

495 (42.2)

I don’t Know

490 (41.8)

I don’t Know

433 (36.9)

The vaccine protects against cancer of the mouth, throat, head and neck

The cervix should be examined every two or three years

Yes

390 (33.3)

Yes

545 (46.5)

No

246 (21)

No

193 (16.5)

I don’t Know

536 (45.7)

I don’t Know

434 (37.0)

The vaccine is recommended for those over 9 years of age

Multiple sexual partners or having a partner with multiple partners

Yes

341 (29.1)

Yes

573 (48.9)

No

245 (20.9)

No

193 (16.5)

I don’t Know

586 (50.0)

I don’t Know

406 (34.6)

The vaccine cannot be given with other vaccines*

Smoking increases the risk of infection

Yes

259 (22.1)

Yes

491 (41.9)

No

284 (24.2)

No

226 (19.3)

I don’t Know

629 (53.7)

I don’t Know

455 (38.8)

Does the vaccine treat those infected with the virus? *

Pain appears in the lower back or abdomen

Yes

257 (21.9)

Yes

415 (35.4)

No

403 (34.4)

No

226 (19.3)

I don’t Know

512 (43.7)

I don’t Know

531 (45.3)

The vaccine protects against only one strain of the virus*

Its symptoms include rectal bleeding during defecation

Yes

285 (24.3)

Yes

323 (27.6)

No

290 (24.7)

No

293 (25)

I don’t Know

597 (50.9)

I don’t Know

556 (47.4)

The vaccine is recommended for those who have previously been infected with one strain of the virus

Difficulty or pain during urination or blood in the urine

Yes

367 (31.3)

Yes

413 (35.2)

No

222 (18.9)

No

214 (18.3)

I don’t Know

583 (49.7)

I don’t Know

545 (46.5)

This vaccine has a booster dose*

Swelling in the legs

Yes

342 (29.2)

Yes

295 (25.2)

No

206 (17.6)

No

278 (23.7)

I don’t Know

624 (53.2)

I don’t Know

599 (51.1)

Total knowledge score about HPV

Total knowledge score about CC

Good knowledge

546 (46.6)

Good knowledge

393 (33.5)

Poor knowledge

626 (53.4)

Poor knowledge

779 (66.5)

Total knowledge score about HPV and cancer cervix

Good knowledge

476 (40.6)

Poor knowledge

696 (59.4)