Cervical cancer awareness and HPV vaccine acceptability among females in Delhi: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

AIMS: The aim of this study is to assess the awareness about cervical cancer and the acceptability of cytological screening and vaccine against human papilloma virus (HPV) among women in Delhi, the national capital of India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of women was conducted in Delhi to assess the awareness of cervical cancer and acceptability of Papanicolaou (Pap) test and HPV vaccine. The sample size of the population was 450, and a pre-tested questionnaire was administered to them. RESULTS: Majority of the participants (85.11%) were aware of cervical cancer and were willing to undergo diagnosis by Pap test (84.6%). As far as vaccination was concerned, 63.14% found the HPV vaccine acceptable for their daughters. However, very few participants were willing to vaccinate themselves against HPV. CONCLUSION: The high awareness among females in Delhi about cervical cancer and acceptability of screening programs, if done free of cost, shows a positive trend. The only inhibition about HPV vaccine was primarily due to concerns about postvaccination complications. However, inclusion of HPV vaccine in Government-sponsored immunization program would go a long way in increasing the acceptability of the vaccine.