What do women in the U.S. know about human papillomavirus and cervical cancer?
GROUND: Women need to understand the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer in order to make appropriate, evidence-based choices among existing prevention strategies (Pap test, HPV DNA test, and HPV vaccine). Assessment of the public’s knowledge in nationally representative samples is a high priority for cervical cancer control. OBJECTIVES: To assess factors associated with U.S. women’s awareness of HPV and knowledge about its link to cervical cancer. METHODS: Analyzed cross-sectional data from women ages 18 to 75 years old responding to the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey (n = 3,076). RESULTS: Among the 40% of women who had ever heard about HPV, <50% knew it caused cervical cancer; knowledge that HPV was sexually transmitted and caused abnormal Pap tests was higher (64% and 79%, respectively). Factors associated with having heard about HPV included: younger age, being non-Hispanic White, higher educational attainment, exposure to multiple health inf
