Abstract:

Objective  To investigate the infection status and human papillomavirus(HPV)related knowledge among women from entertainment establishments in Gaoqiao area in order to plan health education policies for this population group in scientific manner. Methods  By the systematic random sampling method, we conducted a survey on the females from some entertainment establishments with questionnaire and laboratory test. Women voluntarily received general check up on community basis were recruited as controls. Results  101 in 108 completed the questionnaire response and laboratory test, the results showed that 35.19% of the women working in the entertainment venues were in high-risk HPV status, whereas it was 15.84% for the ordinary women, the difference was significant. Only 16 (14.81%) and 17 (16.83%) in the two groups had indirect knowledge on HPV, and the difference was no significant. The perception was different between the two groups on the importance that whether she should undergo regular screening on the neoplasm if she had a family history of cervical cancer. However, there was no statistical difference pertaining to “whether the cervical cancer in early stage can be curable, or preventable; whether free sexual activity of self or her sexual partners would lead to cervical cancer; and ways to early identification of cervical cancer”. Conclusion  Women from entertainment establishments have higher infection rate of high-risk HPV, yet poorer perception on cervical cancer as compared with the ordinary women. Nevertheless, the two groups of women seem poorly on HPV related knowledge, suggesting that they should be given more health education on HPV in order to improve their awareness.

Key words:  Infection rate, High- risk, HPV, Cervical cancer