scholarly journals Uptake of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine and Intention to Vaccinate among Healthy Pregnant Women in Serbia: A Cross-Sectional Study on Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitudes

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 727
Author(s):  
Ljiljana Markovic-Denic ◽  
Srboljub Milicevic ◽  
Jovana Todorovic ◽  
Vladimir Nikolic ◽  
Olivera Djuric ◽  
...  

We aimed to assess awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of healthy pregnant women towards human papillomavirus (HPV), to estimate factors associated with a positive attitude towards HPV immunization and to assess the uptake of the vaccine among their children. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Belgrade, Serbia among pregnant women attending their regular gynecological check-ups at the 12th gestational week. Knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccine was assessed using a specifically designed 12-item and 5-item questionnaires. Out of total 265 included women, 79.3% had heard of HPV, and 37.5% knew that HPV vaccine exists. HPV vaccine knowledge score was associated with higher odds for a positive attitude towards vaccination of both female (OR = 4.10, 95% CI 1.50–11.29) and male (OR = 3.71, 95% CI 1.52–9.01) child. The number of children (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.04–1.67) and high vaccine knowledge score (OR = 1.64 95% CI 1.13–2.39) were independent predictors associated with willingness to vaccinate child against HPV. The gynecologist was the preferable point of reference for information seeking about the HPV vaccine. Despite relatively high HPV awareness and knowledge among pregnant women in Serbia, about one-third of them are HPV vaccine aware, and are willing to vaccinate their children against HPV.

Author(s):  
Ljiljana Markovic-Denic ◽  
Srboljub Milicevic ◽  
Jovana Todorovic ◽  
Vladimir Nikolic ◽  
Olivera Djuric ◽  
...  

We aimed to assess awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of healthy pregnant women towards human papillomavirus (HPV), to estimate factors associated with a positive attitude towards HPV immunization and to assess the uptake of the vaccine among their children. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Belgrade, Serbia among pregnant women attending their regular gynecological check-ups at the 12th gestational week. Knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccine was assessed using a specifically designed 12-item and 5-item questionnaires. Out of total 265 included women, 79.3% had heard of HPV, and 37.5% knew that HPV vaccine exists. HPV vaccine knowledge score was associated with higher odds for a positive attitude towards vaccination of both female (OR = 4.10, 95% CI 1.50-11.29) and male (OR = 3.71, 95% CI 1.52-9.01) child. The number of children (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.04-1.67) and high vaccine knowledge score (OR = 1.64 95% CI 1.13-2.39) were independent predictors associated with willingness to vaccinate child against HPV. The gynecologist was the preferable point of reference for information seeking about the HPV vaccine. Despite relatively high HPV awareness and knowledge among pregnant women in Serbia, about one-third of them are HPV vaccine aware, and are willing to vaccinate their children against HPV.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
NAZLI Nur ASLAN ÇİN ◽  
Ayşe Özfer ÖZÇELİK

Abstract Background: Iodine is an crucial micronutrient for fetal brain development, especially in the early stages of pregnancy. The level of knowledge about iodine among pregnant women has not been previously evaluated in Trabzon city where is an endemic area of iodine deficiency in the Blacksea region of Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge about iodine nutrition during pregnancy among pregnant women living in an endemic goiter area of Turkey. Methods: One hundred fifty pregnant women between ages 19-45 years who applied to Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic in Trabzon were recruited. This cross-sectional study was conducted with one hundred and fifty pregnant women between the ages of 19-45 who applied to Trabzon Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic. Research data were collected using questionnaire forms and face-to-face interviews. The questionnaire form consisted of questions determining the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, their previous pregnancy data, iodized salt consumption habits, and knowledge about iodine. Results: Although 68% of women know that iodine deficiency can cause serious consequences during pregnancy, about 30% did not know the problems caused by iodine deficiency. Three main dietary source of iodine in Turkey, fish, milk and dairy products and table salt are 68.0%, 20.0% and 77.3% of them correctly identified as good sources, respectively. The mean iodine knowledge score of the participants was 8.5±4.5. Higher educated pregnant women had significantly higher knowledge scores (p<.05). However, age, trimester, parity and those who had received information about iodine and iodine knowledge score between no significant differences (p>.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that lack of knowledge about iodine in pregnant women living in an endemic goiter area of Turkey. Furthermore, pregnants also had limited knowledge about the most important dietary iodine sources that can meet their daily iodine requirements. The necessity of public education initiatives to improve iodine knowledge in the pregnant population is evident for healthier future generations.


Author(s):  
Seema Kumari ◽  
Aradhana Singh ◽  
Renu Sangal ◽  
Neela R. Sharma

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection and is a causal factor for cervical cancer in virtually 100% cases. Despite the availability of highly effective vaccine against HPV, the burden of this dreaded disease remains high in our country. The aim of this study was to study the knowledge, attitude and practices on cervical cancer and HPV vaccine among adolescent girls of Eastern UP and to study the factors influencing knowledge, attitude and practices towards HPV vaccination among adolescent girls of this region.Methods: This was a questionnaire based cross-sectional study. Purposive sampling was used. Sample consisted of adolescent girls attending Gynecological OPD of a tertiary care center of Eastern UP, for a period of one year and the sample size was 384.Results: The results showed that, only 8.07% participants had heard of HPV infection and 2.08% participants had HPV vaccine knowledge. 35.95% participants agreed that their parents would pay for vaccine and 79.17% participants agreed for vaccination, if it would be free of cost. In total, most of the participants in the sample were found to have a positive attitude towards the vaccine.Conclusions: Although the knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer and its prevention through HPV vaccination, was poor among adolescent girls of Eastern UP region, it was encouraging to find, that most of them had a positive attitude towards HPV vaccination. It was also concluded, that the acceptability would increase, if the Government includes HPV vaccination in the National Immunization Program. If the cost constraint is dealt with, this completely preventable disease could be controlled in our country. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saran Tenzin Tamang ◽  
Thinley Dorji ◽  
Sonam Yoezer ◽  
Thinley Phuntsho ◽  
Phurb Dorji

Abstract Background The third Sustainable Development Goal for 2030 development agenda aims to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. Pregnant women’s understanding of danger signs is an important factor in seeking timely care during emergencies. We assessed knowledge of obstetric danger signs using both recall and understanding of appropriate action required during obstetric emergencies. Methods This was a cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Bhutan’s largest hospital in Thimphu. Recall was assessed against seven obstetric danger signs outlined in the Mother and Child Health Handbook (7 points). Understanding of danger signs was tested using 13 multiple choice questions (13 points). Knowledge was scored out of 20 points and reported as ‘good’ (≥80%), ‘satisfactory’ (60–79%) and ‘poor’ (< 60%). Correlation between participant characteristics and knowledge score as well as number of danger signs recalled was tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Association between knowledge score and participant characteristics was tested using t-tests (and Kruskal-Wallis test) for numeric variables. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the level of knowledge ('good’ versus ‘satisfactory’ and ‘poor’ combined) were assessed with odds ratios using a log-binomial regression model. All results with p < 0.05 were considered significant. Results Four hundred and twenty-two women responded to the survey (response rate = 96.0%). Mean (±SD) knowledge score was 12 (±2.5). Twenty women (4.7%) had ‘good’ knowledge, 245 (58.1%) had ‘satisfactory’ knowledge and 157 (37.2%) had ‘poor’ knowledge. The median number of danger signs recalled was 2 (IQR 1, 3) while 68 women (20.3%) could not recall any danger signs. Most women were knowledgeable about pre-labour rupture of membranes (96.0%) while very few women were knowledgeable about spotting during pregnancy (19.9%). Both knowledge score and number of danger signs recalled had significant correlation with the period of gestation. Women with previous surgery on the reproductive tract had higher odds of having ‘good’ level of knowledge. Conclusions Most pregnant women had ‘satisfactory’ knowledge score with poor explicit recall of danger signs. However, women recognized obstetric emergencies and identified the appropriate action warranted.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e032487
Author(s):  
Amer Alshengeti ◽  
Amjad Alharbi ◽  
Shahad Alraddadi ◽  
Abdulsalam Alawfi ◽  
Bushra Aljohani

AimsGroup B streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most frequent bacterial pathogens causing invasive infections in neonates. It can be transmitted from colonised mother to neonates around delivery. Screening strategies for GBS during pregnancy include either universal culture-based or risk-based screening. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and current practices of pregnant women towards GBS screening in Al-Madinah City, Saudi Arabia.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Madinah Maternity and Children Hospital, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from May to July 2018. Participants were recruited from postnatal wards. Participants were interviewed using a previously published validated survey that was divided into the following domains: demographic data, knowledge, experience and attitude towards different GBS screening strategies.ResultsA total of 377 out of 450 women (response rate 83.7%) were enrolled. The results showed that the overall mean knowledge score of the pregnant women towards GBS screening was 59.8%. Majority of the women (66.8%) were not aware of the GBS bacterium, while 86.5% of them had never been informed of GBS risk assessment during their pregnancies. The mean knowledge score among women who were aware of GBS (62.8%) was significantly higher than that among women who were not (58.4%) (p=0.015). However, majority of the pregnant women (61.8%) showed preference for universal culture-based GBS screening strategy over risk-based strategy.ConclusionThe study results have concluded that the level of awareness and knowledge about GBS among pregnant women were relatively poor; however, majority of the pregnant women prefer universal culture-based screening.


Author(s):  
Ana Cristina Lindsay ◽  
Joanna A. Pineda ◽  
Madelyne J. Valdez ◽  
Maria Idalí Torres ◽  
Phillip J. Granberry

Despite increasing interest in understanding the factors influencing awareness and acceptability of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among Latino parents, to date limited information is available specific to Central American parents living in the United States (US). Therefore, this pilot cross-sectional study was designed to explore and assess Central American immigrant parents’ awareness, acceptability, and willingness to vaccinate their children against HPV, and interest in participating in future HPV-associated cancer prevention study. Fifty-six Central American parents, majority immigrant (96.4%; n = 54) from four countries, El Salvador—50% (n = 27); Guatemala—25.9% (n = 14); Honduras—22.2% (n = 12); and Panama—1.9% (n = 1) participated in this study. Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire survey in their preferred language (i.e., Spanish or English). A little over half of the participants were mothers (57.1%; n = 32) and parents’ mean age was 43.2 years (SD = 6.4). The majority was married or cohabitating (76.8%, n = 43), and 39.3% (n = 22) reported having two children. Seventy-five percent (n = 42) of parents reported they had heard of the HPV vaccine. Fewer fathers were aware of the HPV vaccine (58.3%; n = 14 vs.87.5%, n = 28; p = 0.01) than mothers. Among parents who had heard of the HPV vaccine (n = 42), 85.7% (n = 36) reported their children had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine. Fewer fathers reported their child had been vaccinated against HPV (64.3%, n = 9 vs. 96.4%, n = 27; p = 0.06) than mothers. Moreover, 90% of parents (n = 18) whose children were unvaccinated reported willingness to vaccinate their adolescent children against HPV if recommended by their child’s physician. Findings indicate parents’ low to moderate awareness of the HPV vaccine, and high willingness to vaccinate their adolescent children if recommended by their child’s physician. Findings also demonstrate fathers’ lower awareness and acceptability of the HPV vaccine than mothers. Despite limitations and the need for more research, findings of this pilot study serve as a valuable first step toward building a knowledge foundation that is needed for developing future studies and interventions targeting Central American immigrant parents living in the US. Future studies can build on the findings of this exploratory study with other research designs and address its limitations by having a larger sample size and accounting for additional factors associated with Central American immigrant parents’ HPV awareness, knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and vaccine acceptability from other communities across the US.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 5134-5140
Author(s):  
Saswatika Beura ◽  
Lipilekha Patnaik ◽  
Manisha Sahoo ◽  
Sumitra Pattanaik

Majority women attain menopause without having adequate knowledge and approaches to cope with the menopausal changes. So, they face many physical and psychological disorders during their menopause. Awareness, positive attitude and healthy practice towards menopause can help women to reduce their menopausal symptoms. Women who are had menopause more than 12 months were included in the study. In this study, 80.8% women had poor knowledge and 73.1% women having positive attitude towards menopause. But none of the participants reported healthy practices in their menopause. 44.2% women had knowledge that postmenopausal bleeding was abnormal, 36.5% women said that menopause is associated with many chronic diseases and 32.7% said that menstruation does not stop suddenly at the time of menopause. In our study 90.4% of participants positively accepted their menopause. Knowledge score was significantly associated with age and education. The perceived poor knowledge and practice towards menopause require more efforts for creating mass awareness about this issue.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saran Tenzin Tamang ◽  
Thinley Dorji ◽  
Sonam Yoezer ◽  
Thinley Phuntsho ◽  
Phurb Dorji

Abstract Background: The third Sustainable Development Goal for 2030 development agenda aims to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. Pregnant women’s understanding of danger signs is an important factor in seeking timely care during emergencies. We assessed knowledge of obstetric danger signs using both recall and understanding of appropriate action required during obstetric emergencies. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Bhutan’s largest hospital in Thimphu. Recall was assessed against seven obstetric danger signs outlined in the Mother and Child Health Handbook (7 points). Understanding of danger signs was tested using 13 multiple choice questions (13 points). Knowledge was scored out of 20 points and reported as “good” (≥80%), “satisfactory” (60 – 79%) and “poor” (<60%). Correlation between participant characteristics and knowledge score as well as number of danger signs recalled was tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Association between knowledge score and participant characteristics were tested using t-tests (and Kruskal-Wallis test) for numeric variables. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the level of knowledge (“good” versus “satisfactory and poor” combined) were assessed with odds ratios (OR) using a log-binomial regression model. All results with p < 0.05 were considered significant.Results: Four hundred and twenty-two women responded to the survey (response rate = 96.0%). Mean (±SD) knowledge score was 12 (±2.5). Twenty women (4.7%) had “good knowledge”, 245 (58.1%) had “satisfactory knowledge” and 157 (37.2%) had “poor knowledge”. The median number of danger signs recalled was 2 (IQR 1, 3) while 68 (20.3%) women could not recall any danger signs. Most women were knowledgeable about pre-labour rupture of membranes (96.0%) while very few women were knowledgeable about spotting during pregnancy (19.9%). Both knowledge score and number of danger signs recalled had significant correlation with the period of gestation. Women with previous surgery on the reproductive tract had higher odds of having good level of knowledge. Conclusions: Most pregnant women had satisfactory knowledge score with poor explicit recall of danger signs. However, women recognized obstetric emergencies and identified the appropriate action warranted.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahmida Sultana ◽  
Gulshan Ara ◽  
Tania Akbar ◽  
Rayhana Sultana

Introduction: To evaluate knowledge about anemia among pregnant women visiting in OPD for antenatal care. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in tertiary hospital Dhaka, from outdoor patient department of gynecology and obstetrics, to assess the knowledge about anemia among pregnant women and also to find out the percentage and type of anemia. A total 396 pregnant women were interviewed and information were collected by pre designed data collection sheet using various parameters. Interviews conducted by direct questionnaire, blood samples were collected at same setting. Results: The mean age was 25.92±5.05, highest number 39.65% were age group 21-25 years, 28.79% were age group -30 years, 15.91% were age group 31-35 years, 11.36% were found age group <20 years. Regarding antenatal visit during pregnancy, 25.8% pregnant women visited in 1st trimester, 46.7% pregnant women visited in second trimester, and 27.5% in 3rd trimester. Also 11.11% patients had anemia in first trimester, 39.39% anemic in 2nd trimester, 14.39% pregnant women anemic in third trimester and 35.10% had normal findings. And 67% pregnant woman’s had knowledge about ANC 32% had no knowledge. Conclusion: In this cross sectional study it was found that poor knowledge about anemia and less iron intake is the main cause for anemia during pregnancy. Medicine Today 2019 Vol.31(2): 105-110


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