Investigation of Women's Health Literacy and Health Beliefs About Human Papilloma Virus and Vaccine: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

Authors : Janıl Alanur Hakim, Aslı Karakuş Selçuk

Pages : 443-455

Doi:10.46413/boneyusbad.1553990

View : 81 | Download : 70

Publication Date : 2025-08-07

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: This study aimed at investigating the women’s health literacy levels and health beliefs regarding human papillomavirus and human papillomavirus vaccine. Material and Method: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a gynecology outpatient clinic between November 2023 and March 2024 in Türkiye. The sample of the study consisted of 368 women. The descriptive characteristics questionnaire of the participants, Health Belief Model Scale for Human Papilloma Virus and its Vaccination and Health Literacy Scale were used to obtain research data. Results: Results indicated that while the participants’ perceived barriers sub-dimension score was below the average, their scores for the perceived severity, perceived benefits and perceived susceptibility sub-dimensions were above the average. Women who were young, those who were single, those who had senior high school or higher education, who were employed, those who did not have children, who had gynecological examinations regularly and those who had received training on human papillomavirus had higher health literacy and perception levels. A positive relationship was determined between health literacy, and perceived severity, perceived benefits and perceived susceptibility. Conclusion: Health professionals can contribute to increasing women\\\'s general health literacy knowledge levels by providing guidance to help them understand and implement health information better.
Keywords : Human papillomavirus, Aşı, İnanç, Sağlık okuryazarlığı

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