Knowledge and attitudes of adult peruvian women vis-à-vis human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine

OBJECTIVES: To determine knowledge and attitudes of adult Peruvian women regarding the human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer, and acceptability of the HPV vaccine. METHODS.: A 4-section survey was administered to 511 25- to 65-year-old Peruvian women living in 3 low-income districts in Lima. RESULTS.: Knowledge of HPV, the HPV vaccine, cervical cancer, and the association between HPV and cervical cancer was low. Approximately two-thirds of the participants knew nothing about HPV, the vaccine, and cervical cancer. However, vaccine acceptability was very high: 90% indicated they would get vaccinated if the HPV vaccine was available. In addition, 58% of the population was willing to pay "something," versus nothing, to be vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS.: Although their knowledge was limited, mid adult Peruvian women have a very high level of acceptance for the HPV vaccine. Efforts to educate the population about HPV and cervical cancer are warranted along with further studies exploring the reasons for high vaccination acceptability to help reduce the rate of cervical cancer.