Pap Smear Knowledge Among Young Women Following the Introduction of the HPV Vaccine

Abstract Study Objective Investigate sexually active young women's knowledge of the term Pap smear since development of the HPV vaccine. Design Cross-sectional study conducted January–May 2007. Setting University health services clinic at a university in southern United States. Participants Sex...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of pediatric & adolescent gynecology 2009-08, Vol.22 (4), p.251-256
Main Authors: Head, Sara K., MPH, Crosby, Richard A., PhD, Moore, Gregory R., MD, MPH
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescents
Cervical cancer
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
HPV
Humans
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Pap smear
Papanicolaou Test
Papillomavirus Vaccines
Pediatrics
Student Health Services
Vaccine
Vaginal Smears - psychology
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Study Objective Investigate sexually active young women's knowledge of the term Pap smear since development of the HPV vaccine. Design Cross-sectional study conducted January–May 2007. Setting University health services clinic at a university in southern United States. Participants Sexually active women, age 18–24, presenting for a Pap smear or STD testing (N = 145). Main Outcome Measures Pap smear knowledge was assessed by participants' written definition of the term Pap smear and by multiple choice responses indicating Pap smear as a test for cervical cancer/ HPV and not a pelvic exam, STD test, or pregnancy test. Results 9.7% provided accurate definitions; 12.4% checked appropriate Pap smear synonyms. 68.5% incorrectly responded that Pap smear was the same as “pelvic exam”; 42.5% indicated “STD test”; 11.7% indicated “pregnancy test.” Indicators of HPV risk (age of sexual debut, previous abnormal Pap smear, previous STD diagnosis) were not associated with knowledge. Never using condoms, increasing age, and lower depression scores predicted accurate Pap smear definition rating (R2 = 0.08). Never using condoms, Caucasian race, and decreased lifetime number of sex partners predicted accurate identification of Pap smear synonyms (R2 = 0.15). Results Few participants understood the meaning of the term Pap smear; there does not appear to be improvement in women's knowledge after development of the HPV vaccine. Poor Pap smear knowledge may affect young women's understanding of their overall sexual health.
ISSN:1083-3188
1873-4332
DOI:10.1016/j.jpag.2008.10.005