Knowledge of the human papilloma virus and its vaccine in women in a rural area of Querétaro, México

Abstract

Introduction: The human papillomavirus (HPV) has a high prevalence in young women resulting on a problem of public health. In México, it occupied the nineteenth place in the 2011 of transmissible diseases and more than 90% of cervical cancer cases are related to it. The aim of the research was to determine the level of knowledge about HPV, vaccine and risk behaviors of young adult woman in a rural community of San Juan del Río, Querétaro, México.

Methodology:The study was cross-sectional; convenience sample on woman from 20 to 40 years old. The instrument used was “HPV and Health” with a Cronbach´s alpha of 0.79, divided into sociodemographic data, knowledge of HPV and vaccine, health aspects and information sources. 45 people were surveyed; age X=27.8, S=5.9 years.

Results: Women presented a good level of knowledge about the HPV with 22%, 20% regular, 17.78% deficient and 40 % very deficient. Regarding the vaccine 53.3% had deficient knowledge and 2.2% had excellent. It is necessary to improve knowledge about HPV in order to for people to avoid the development of cervical cancer virus;

Conclusion:It is also required to explain women about immunization against HPV, as well as the operation and the importance of administering the vaccine to girls.