IMR Press / CEOG / Volume 50 / Issue 1 / DOI: 10.31083/j.ceog5001004
Open Access Original Research
Human Papillomavirus Knowledge and Cervical Cancer Screening Practice among Uzbekistan Women
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1 Department of Epidemiology & Health Informatics, Graduate School of Public Health, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Repbulic of Korea
2 WHO Country Office, 100105 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
3 Multidisciplinary Clinic of Tashkent Medical Academy, 100109 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
4 KOFIH (Korea Foundation for International Healthcare) Laos office, 0100 Vientiane, Lao PDR
5 Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Repbulic of Korea
*Correspondence: seungah@korea.ac.kr (Seung-Ah Choe)
Academic Editor: Christos Iavazzo
Clin. Exp. Obstet. Gynecol. 2023, 50(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.ceog5001004
Submitted: 10 August 2022 | Revised: 21 October 2022 | Accepted: 7 November 2022 | Published: 5 January 2023
Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Background: Data on the knowledge of the general population of Uzbekistan regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer screening practices are limited. This study aimed to assess the association between the knowledge and practice of cervical cancer screening among women in Uzbekistan. Methods: A baseline survey was conducted with 445 women aged 20–59 years who visited one of the three health centres of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in December 2020. A questionnaire on the knowledge of HPV infection and cervical cancer screening practices was administered. The knowledge score, defined as the sum of the number of correct answers to the knowledge questions and the prevalence of cervical cancer screening practices, was analysed. The adjusted relative risk (RR) and low knowledge score (<median) of (1) never screened and (2) not screened within 2 years for each demographic characteristic were calculated. Results: The median knowledge score was 10. Women who had been screened for cervical cancer accounted for 63.1% of the patients. Among them, 64.8% reported that their last cervical cancer screening test was within 2 years. A history of sexually transmitted diseases was associated with a lower risk of never being screened (adjusted RR = 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24, 0.78) and no screening within 2 years (0.54, 95% CI 0.30, 0.99). No university graduation was associated with a higher risk of not screening within 2 years (1.57, 95% CI 1.00, 2.47). Association between knowledge of HPV status and screening practices was not observed. Conclusions: Adequate knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer prevention may be insufficient for cervical cancer screening practices. This study provides context for the development of effective cervical cancer prevention strategies.

Keywords
cervical cancer
human papillomavirus
Uzbekistan
Funding
Q2024781/Korea Foundation for International Healthcare
K2022961/Korea University
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