Abstract: Cervical Cancer is considered the fourth most common cancer in females worldwide, with most cases occurring in the third world countries(3). In Saudi Arabia, Cervical Cancer ranks as the eighth most frequent cancer among women (1). Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is considered the causative agent of Cervical Cancer, mainly HPV types 16 and 18 (4). Unfortunately, there is no database for the prevalence of HPV among women in Saudi Arabia, which is a setback in the fight against Cervical Cancer.
Objective: The aim of this study is to measure the knowledge of women in Riyadh regarding Cervical Cancer and its risk factors, Pap Smear, and HPV information, and if they have taken the HPV vaccine which has recently been introduced to Saudi Arabia.
Method: A cross sectional study was done in December, 2016 in Riyadh. A self-administered questionnaire based survey was distributed through an online link to the general population by social media, and by hand to patients in the waiting area at the Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic in Prince Sultan's Medical Military City hospital in Riyadh. A total of 628 women agreed to voluntarily participate in this study, ages ranging between 15 and 61 years.
Result: The results of this study pointed out some important information about the reasons of why the woman visits/do not visit an Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic. Furthermore, 47.6% did not know what a Pap Smear is, 67.2% never had a Pap Smear, 23.6% haven’t heard of Cervical Cancer, more than 65% did not know what the risk factors of Cervical Cancer are, 35.4% did not know if Cervical Cancer can be prevented or not, 83% did not know what HPV is, 79.5% did not know that HPV causes Cervical Cancer, 81.17% did not know that HPV is sexually transmitted, and lastly 98.4% did not take the HPV vaccine.
Conclusion: Despite this cancer as being preventable, yet it has little attention paid to it in Saudi Arabia. Our research concluded that there is a huge lack of knowledge among this particular disease
Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Gynecology clinic, particular disease.
Title: Knowledge and Perception Towards Pap Smear, HPV, and Cervical Cancer Among Women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December 2016
Author: Dr. Osama Al Towaijri, Dr. Careema Hassam Jamjoom, Dr.Eman Faisal Al Zahrani, Dr. Noura Ahmed Binhussain, Dr. Sama Younis
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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