Table 2 Knowledge and attitudes of cases (women followed in the HIV treatment centres) and matched controls
Knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and cervical cancer (CC) | Total | Cases | Controls | p |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N = 640 | N = 320 | N = 320 | ||
(%) | (%) | (%) | ||
Able to name: at least 1 STI | 417 (65.2) | 290 (90.6) | 127 (39.7) | 0.0001 |
  1 STI | 207 (32.3) | 151 (47.1) | 58 (18.1) | 0.0001 |
  2 STI | 122 (19.1) | 79 (24.7) | 43 (13.4) | 0.0001 |
  3 STI | 68 (10.6) | 47 (14.7) | 21 (6.6) | 0.001 |
  4 STI | 20 (3.1) | 13 (4.1) | 5 (1.6) | 0.05 |
Have heard about: | Â | Â | Â | Â |
  - CC | 344 (53.8) | 177 (55.3) | 167 (52.2) | 0.40 |
  - Human papillomavirus (HPV) | 37 (5.8) | 14 (4.4) | 23 (7.2) | 0.10 |
  - HPV vaccination | 65 (10.2) | 41 (12.8) | 24 (7.5) | 0.02 |
Knowledge scores (0 to 13) ≤ 3 | 351 (54.8) | 146 (45.6) | 205 (64.1) | 0.0001 |
  > 3 | 289 (45.2) | 174 (54.4) | 115 (35.9) | |
Knowing someone with CC | 118 (18.4) | 41 (12.8) | 77 (24.1) | 0.0002 |
Knowing that: | Â | Â | Â | Â |
  - CC is a serious condition | 318 (49.7) | 186 (58.1) | 132 (41.3) | 0.0001 |
  - CC is caused by HPV infection | 20 (3.1) | 10 (3.1) | 10 (3.1) | 1.00 |
  - Multiple sexual partners are a risk factor of CC | 224 (35) | 179 (55.9) | 45 (14.1) | 0.01 |
Able to name at least: | Â | Â | Â | Â |
  - One risk factor for CC | 49 (7.7) | 29 (9.1) | 20 (6.3) | 0.10 |
  - One screening method of CC | 17 (2.7) | 11 (3.4) | 6 (1.9) | 0.20 |
  - One prevention method of CC | 105 (16.4) | 51 (15.9) | 54 (16.9) | 0.70 |
Mentioned prevention methods of CC: | Â | Â | Â | Â |
  - Drugs | 41 (6.4) | 14 (4.4) | 27 (8.4) | 0.05 |
  - Vaccination | 156 (24.4) | 46 (14.4) | 110 (34.4) | 0.0001 |
  - Annual gynaecological exam | 294 (45.9) | 184 (57.5) | 110 (34.4) | 0.0001 |
  - Vaccination and annual gynaecological exam | 149 (23.1) | 83 (25.9) | 66 (20.3) | 0.08 |
Sources of information on CC: | Â | Â | Â | Â |
  - Health professionals | 197 (30.8) | 127 (39.7) | 70 (21.9) | 0.0001 |
  - Medias | 82 (12.8) | 28 (8.8) | 54 (16.9) | 0.002 |
  - Family and relatives | 65 (10.6) | 22 (6.9) | 43 (13.4) | 0.006 |
Sources of information on HPV vaccination | Â | Â | Â | Â |
  - Health professionals | 45 (7.0) | 29 (9.1) | 16 (5.0) | 0.04 |
  - Medias | 16 (2.5) | 9 (2.8) | 7 (2.2) | 0.60 |
  - Family and relatives | 4 (0.6) | 3 (0.9) | 1 (0.3) | 0.60 |
Attitudes with respect to the risk of CC | Â | Â | Â | Â |
Believing: | Â | Â | Â | Â |
  - That CC is a common disease in Laos | 323 (50.5) | 183 (57.2) | 140 (43.8) | 0.0007 |
  - To be herself at risk of developing CC | 142 (22.2) | 115 (35.9) | 27 (8.4) | 0.0001 |
Regarding as risk factors for CC: | Â | Â | Â | Â |
  - HIV infection | 413 (64.5) | 236 (73.8) | 177 (55.3) | 0.0001 |
  - Unprotected intercourse | 560 (87.5) | 293 (91.6) | 267 (83.4) | 0.001 |
  - Multiple sexual partners | 574 (89.7) | 297 (92.8) | 277 (86.6) | 0.01 |
  - Smoking | 265 (41.5) | 125 (39.1) | 140 (43.9) | 0.20 |
Wishing: | Â | Â | Â | Â |
  - National recommendations for HPV vaccination | 582 (90.9) | 288 (90.0) | 294 (91.9) | 0.40 |
  - To be vaccinated if an affordable HPV vaccine is offered | 568 (88.8) | 288 (90.0) | 280 (87.5) | 0.30 |