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Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus: Differences by Self-Reported Treatment for Genital Warts and Sociodemographic Characteristics

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV) in individuals with genital warts compared with women from the general population without genital warts. Human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge among women reporting treatment for genital warts compared with HPV knowledge in women reporting no treatment was assessed using data from the population-based 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Three percent (N = 97) of women answered "yes" and 97% (N = 3,450) "no" to "Have you ever been treated for venereal warts or condyloma?" Women who reported treatment for genital warts, were more likely to have heard of HPV (odds ratio (OR): 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4-4.2 vs. no or don't know), to have been told they had HPV (OR: 24.5, 95% CI: 11.4-52.8), and to have accurate information about HPV, such as HPV causes cancer (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.8-4.3). A large proportion (41%) of women who reported treatment for genital warts, however, had not heard of HPV. These women tended to be older, poorer, less educated, non-Hispanic Black, less likely to have had a recent Pap test, and divorced, widowed, or separated. Women with genital warts are learning about HPV, but socioeconomically disadvantaged groups may need to be targeted.

Source: Journal of Health Communication

DOI: 10.1080/10810730902873067

Authors: Jill Koshiol, Lila Finney Rutten, Richard P. Moser, Nicola Hesse

Institutions: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Cervical Cancer and HPV Research

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institutes of Health