Knowledge and Attitudes of Bangkok Metropolitan Women towards HPV and Self-Sampled HPV Testing.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate knowledge of Bangkok women regarding HPV and self-sampled HPV testing, and their attitudes towards testing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thai women who had lived in Bangkok for more than 5 years, aged 25-to-65 years old, were invited to join the study. Participating women were asked to a complete self-questionnaire (Thai language), with literate assistance as needed. The questionnaire was divided into 3 parts: (I) demographic data, (II) knowledge and (III) attitudes towards self-sampled HPV testing. Before proceeding to Part III of the questionnaire, a 15-minute educational video of self-sampled HPV testing was presented to all participants.

RESULTS: Among 2,810 women who answered the questionnaires, 33.7% reported that they did not know about HPV. The characteristic features of these women were older age (>50 years), lower income (<600 USD/month), unemployed status, and non-attendees at cervical cancer screening. Only small numbers of women (4.6%) responded that they had heard about self-sampled HPV testing. After having information, 59.6% would not use the self-sampled HPV testing as a method of cervical cancer screening (non-acceptance). Factors significantly associated with the non-acceptance were older age, lower income, having no knowledge about HPV or self-collected HPV testing, a perception that the testing was unreliable and a concern that they might not be able to perform it correctly.

CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half and almost all Bangkok women did not know about HPV and self-sampled HPV testing, respectively. Approximately 60% of Bangkok women refused to do the self-sampled HPV testing. Significant negative attitudes were concerns that the testing would be unreliable and a lack of confidence to perform the procedure correctly. Education about HPV and self-sampled HPV testing, ease of the procedure, or the testing models may increase rate of acceptability or positive attitudes.