Womens’knowledge about cervical cancer, risk factors and human papilloma virus vaccine

The aim of the research work: to evaluate women‘s awareness about the risk factors of cervical cancer and human papilloma virus vaccine. The survey was done in December – February 2016 – 2017 in the public institution Šeškinės Policlinics. In total 203 respondents aged 18–72 took part in the survey. A questionnaire with 17 questions drafted by the author was used to perform the survey. Risk factors indicated most often: human papilloma virus infection (70.9%), sexually transmitted diseases (78.3%) and the changes occurring in the previously done cervical sample (57.6%). 71.4% of women regularly undergo cervical cancer tests. More than a half of the respondents (58.1%) know that human papilloma virus is included into the children prophylactic vaccination program of Lithuania. The majority of women found out about the CC risk factors from their doctors (family doctor, gynecologist or an obstetrician) (42.9%), about the human papilloma virus vaccine – from the media (67.8%). The majority of women (71.9%) taking part in the survey were against their daughter’s vaccination against HPV vaccine, those being senior aged women. Reasons for non – vaccination: not enough information about the vaccination against HPI vaccine (23.3%); afraid of the side effects (19.2%); did not know that such vaccination exists (10.3%). Those who received the information from the medical staff were 5.31 times more likely to approve the vaccination (OR=5,31; CI 95%: 2,23–12,70; p=0,001)