The Effects of Health Education About Human Papilloma Virus and Cervical Cancer Prevention on Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Behaviors

Aim: To determine the effects of health education about Human Papilloma Virus infection and cervical cancer prevention on knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of adolescent girls and their mothers. Background: To combat with cervical cancer, it is urgent that prevention Human Papilloma Virus related disease all around the world. Design: A randomized trial with a control group (n=108) and an intervention group (n=108). Methods: The study was applied between January to June 2019 in the two different adolescent outpatient clinics in Turkey. The outpatient clinics were randomly assigned as intervention and control groups by numbering and opaque and sealed envelopes. Based on the intention-to-treat principle, all participants were analyzed according to the group they were assigned to, regardless of whether they received the intervention or not. In addition to the routine clinical practice, the adolescent girls and their mothers who participated in the intervention group were given health education twice in the first interview and in the fifth week. Follow-up continued for 12 weeks. The adolescent girls and their mothers in the control group received routine clinical practice. The effects of health education were evaluated with Human Papilloma Virus Knowledge Scale and Health Belief Model Scale for Human Papilloma Virus and its Vaccination. Impact: Human Papilloma Virus vaccine, which has an important place in primary protection from cervical cancer, is expected to provide effective results by facilitating access to vaccine accompanied with health education.