Cervical cancer primary prevention: knowledge and practices of women visiting Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Primary prevention of cervical cancer entails the prevention of infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the underlying cause of the disease. The most effective strategy is through vaccination against the most common oncogenic HPV types.

OBJECTIVES:

The aim of this research was to determine what adult women visiting Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, know about HPV and HPV vaccination in relation to the primary prevention of cervical cancer in South Africa. The population’s HPV vaccination practices were also investigated.

METHODS:

This research was a descriptive study that followed a cross-sectional quantitative study design. The data was gathered with a previously validated, self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS:

The average score for the knowledge questions were 63.4%±16.8%, which was low when compared with a similar study. With regards to practices, a high number of participants were willing to receive the vaccine and allow their daughters to receive the vaccine.

CONCLUSION:

This research identified existing knowledge gaps and can help guide policies in the future by assessing the need of the implementation of education programmes in parallel with HPV vaccination programmes in order to decrease cervical cancer morbidity and mortality.