Peer-reviewed article
Sociodemographic correlates of human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer knowledge among Saudi women: A nationwide assessment.
Kariri YA, Kuriry IA, Albargy HA, Keraryi FA, Alsaleem MA ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study surveyed 627 Saudi Arabian women to assess their knowledge, awareness, attitudes and beliefs about human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. The findings show that less than half of participants had adequate knowledge of HPV, and about two-thirds believed the HPV vaccine is unsafe. Sociodemographic factors such as marital status, religion, education and occupation were associated with differences in knowledge and attitudes.
Key points
- 47.4% of participants had adequate knowledge of HPV
- 51.5% knew HPV is sexually transmitted; 41.3% knew it can cause cervical cancer
- 66.7% believed the HPV vaccine is not safe
- Main information sources were the Ministry of Health and social media
- Marital status, religion, and education were significantly associated with HPV knowledge and vaccine awareness
Limitations
This study assesses adult women's knowledge and beliefs rather than child health outcomes or interventions affecting children. While HPV vaccination in adolescence is relevant to child health, this research does not evaluate child well-being, health outcomes in children, or any intervention targeting children.
Abstract
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is one of the most frequent sexually transmitted viruses globally, with serious clinical consequences, such as cervical cancer. This study aims to evaluate knowledge and awareness of, and attitudes and beliefs towards, HPV and vaccines for it among women from several Saudi Arabian regions. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among Saudi Arabian women. Data were collected from December 9, 2024, to May 9, 2025, via an online survey including women's demographics, knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and beliefs regarding HPV and vaccination against it. An overall of 627 women took part in the study. The majority of the population (32.1%) is aged from 36 to 45 years. In total, 47.4% of the participants have an adequate level of knowledge of HPV, 51.5% know that it is sexually transmitted, and 41.3% know that it can cause cervical cancer. The main information sources were the Ministry of Health and social media. Around 66.7% of the participants believed that the HPV vaccine is not safe. Marital status, religion, and educational status were demonstrably associated with overall knowledge and awareness of HPV and a vaccine for it. Age, marital status, children, region, education level, and occupation were significantly associated with beliefs concerning HPV. This study reported a gap in awareness and knowledge of cervical cancer and HPV; risk and HPV vaccination complications were found to be barriers to vaccine acceptance.