Knowledge of HPV and Surgery among Women Who Underwent Cervical Conization: A Korean Multi-Center Study.
PURPOSE
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a well-known cause of cervical cancer, which, along with its precursors, can be diagnosed and treated with cervical conization (CC). This study aimed to assess HPV- and procedure-related knowledge among women who had undergone CC.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between February and May 2014, consecutive women who had undergone CC at five different educational hospitals were recruited. All patients had undergone a loop electrosurgical excision procedure as the method of CC. A survey was conducted with a self-developed, 29-item questionnaire, measuring knowledge related to HPV and CC. We analyzed the responses of 160 patients who completed the questionnaire.


RESULTS
Mean total knowledge scores (±standard deviation) for HPV and CC were 5.2±3.0 of a possible 13.0 and 8.3±4.2 of a possible 16.0, respectively. While 73% of the patients knew that HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, only 44% knew that HPV is sexually transmitted. The purpose of CC was correctly identified by 71% of the patients. However, 35% failed to indicate the anatomical area resected at the time of CC in the schematic diagram. Women who were younger (p<0.001), had higher education level (p<0.001), and higher family income (p=0.008) had higher knowledge scores. In contrast, neither interval from CC to survey nor disease severity were associated with total knowledge score.


CONCLUSION
The level of knowledge related to HPV and CC was unexpectedly low in women who had undergone CC. Intuitive educational resources may improve this knowledge, and further cohort studies are warranted.
['Jun|So Yeun|SY|', 'Kim|Se Ik|SI|', 'Lim|Myong Cheol|MC|', 'Lee|Jung Yun|JY|', 'Lee|San Hui|SH|', 'Song|Yong Jung|YJ|', 'Chun|Kyoung Chul|KC|', 'Kim|Jae Weon|JW|', 'Park|Sang Yoon|SY|']
D000328:Adult D002584:Cervix Uteri D019092:Conization D005260:Female D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice D006801:Humans D008875:Middle Aged D027383:Papillomaviridae D056910:Republic of Korea D012725:Sexual Behavior D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms D055815:Young Adult
Knowledge surgery human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical cancer