Results:
A total of 100 fully completed questionnaires were analysed. The
questionnaire started by assessing the participants demographics. The
majority of our cohort (42%) were in the age bracket of 25-39years
(Figure 1a). They were primarily ‘in a relationship’ (54%), with a
further 37% answering ‘single’ with regards to their relationship
status. In terms of employment status, our group were mostly employed
(60%), with 27% unemployed, 8% students and 5% preferring not to
answer (figure 1b). The majority of participants, or 88% identified
English as their primary language.
The questionnaire then assessed some of the participants personal
experience and history surrounding the topics in question. Of those who
participated, the majority had not received the HPV vaccine
(77%). 16 participants (16%) had received the vaccine and of these 9
were in the <25years age group. 7 women were unsure if they
had received the vaccine or not. Of those eligible to take part in the
cervical screening program, that is those 25years and above (n=84), the
majority (87%) had received a cervical smear, with only 13/84 women
reporting they had never gone for their cervical smear. 91% of our
cohort are or have been sexually active, with 4 women reporting never
have been sexually active and 5 not wishing to answer.
With regards to the participants knowledge, we found that 72% had heard
of the human papilloma virus. Of these women, the majority (36%, 26/72)
listed the ‘news’ as their primary source of information for same. This
was followed by GP or other health care professional (25%, 18/72) and
social media (18%, 13/72) (Figure 2a). We noted that of those who
listed ‘the news’ as their primary source of information, all were age
25 and above. Of those answered that they had never heard of HPV (n
=28), we noted that 15 or 53% were unemployed and of those eligible for
the cervical screening program (n = 22), 7 admitted to never had a smear
before (31%), which shows lower compliance with the screening program
compared to our total population, where only 16% hadn’t received a
smear. From here, we considered the responses in two groups; Group A -
those who had heard of HPV (n =72) and Group B - those who had not (n =
28). Within group A, more than half knew at least one disease caused by
HPV (40/72, 55%) (Figure 2b), with cervical cancer being the most
common answer, followed by genital warts. Within group B, despite
answering that they haven’t heard of HPV, 4 women (4/28, 14%) said they
knew of a disease caused by HPV, with two of these correctly identifying
cervical cancer. With regards to how HPV is transmitted, again more than
half of group A (60%, 43/72) correctly identified sexual contact as a
route of transmission (Figure 2c). 29 of these women did not know.
Within group B, 1 woman correctly identified sexual contact as the route
(<1%). Finally, 61% of group A (44/72) were aware of how to
prevent the spread of HPV, compared to <1% in group B.
Finally we assessed if participants believed if girls and if boys should
receive the HPV vaccine. Within group A, a large majority of
participants, 70% (50/72), believed that girls should, with 18%
(13/72) unsure, and 12% saying they didn’t believe girls should (Figure
3a). This is compared to group B, where 75% of participants (21/28)
said they didn’t know if girls should receive the vaccine and only 21%
of participants believing girls should. (Figure 3b). Combined, 56%
participants believed girls should receive the vaccine, 10% believed
they shouldn’t and 34% were unsure.
With regards to boys receiving the vaccine, again a majority of group A
believed they should (51%, 37/72). This was followed by 36% (26/72)
saying they didn’t know, and again just over 12% saying they believed
girls should not receive the vaccine (Figure 4a). In group B, a large
majority, 86%, did not know if boys should receive the vaccine,
followed by 1 participants thinking they shouldn’t and 3 thinking they
should (Figure 4b). Combining both groups, only 40% of participants
believed boys should received the vaccine, with the majority (50%),
saying they didn’t know.