The Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination and Pap Smear Screening is Low among Young Adult Women in Muar, Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women in Malaysia. However, there is still a lack of research and information regarding the women's knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the acceptance of Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, and Papanicolaou (PAP) smear screening in the control program. The study was aimed to determine the knowledge of young adult women in Mukim Sungai Raya, Muar District, about the knowledge, attitudes and practices of HPV vaccination and Pap smear screening as a prevention of cervical cancer in Malaysia. The cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-filled questionnaire among young adult women aged 19-25 years old at Mukim Sungai Raya Muar. The participants were selected conveniently based on the list provided by Mukim’s Head. The study showed that 67.3% of respondents had low knowledge on HPV vaccination and Pap smear screening, 50.9% had a negative attitude toward it, whilst 47.7% had completed two doses of HPV vaccine, but only 9.3% had been performed Pap smear screening. The lower level of education was significantly associated with a lower level of knowledge (p= 0.025). There was no association between levels of knowledge with attitude. The knowledge, attitude and practice on HPV vaccination and Pap smear screening were found to be low among young adult women at Mukim Sungai Raya, Muar. The intensive health promotion program should be instituted among young women in the rural and sub-urban setting.