Knowledge and practices of nurses on cervical cancer, HPV and HPV vaccine in Cankiri state hospital, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine knowledge and practices of nurses on cervical cancer, human papillomavirus and its vaccine.

METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted at Cankiri Karatekin University, Cankiri, Turkey, from December 2015 to January 2016, and included nurses. . A survey was used to collect data about socio-demographic features and knowledge and practices on cervical cancer and screening, signs and symptoms of cervical cancer and human papillomavirus vaccine. SPSS 16 was used for data analysis.

RESULTS: Of the 110(61.1%) participants, 83(75.5%), 78(70.9%) and 45(40.9%) did not know risk factors of cervical cancer, signs of cervical cancer and how to protect oneself against cervical cancer, respectively. Moreover, 56(50.9%), 85(77.3%) and 60(54.5%) knew the route of transmission of human papillomavirus, risk factors of human papillomavirus and its vaccine, respectively. Besides, 2(1.8%) nurses received human papillomavirus vaccine. Also, 11(10%) nurses received a regular Pap smear test and 19(17.3%) received a regular gynaecological examination. The reasons given for not having the examinations were being sexually inactive in 28(25.5%) cases, not feeling the need for an examination 26(23.6%), shying away from gynaecological examinations 13(11.8%), and having inadequate knowledge 6(5.5%). Significantly higher rates of the nurses aged >40 years, having given birth, and having regular gynaecological examinations had a Pap smear test (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of nurses about risk factors, signs and prevention of cervical cancer were found to be below the desired level.