Attitude and knowledge of Iranian female nurses about human papilomavirus infection and cervical cancer: a cross sectional survey.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Human Papilomavirus (HPV) is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted diseases is highly related to cervical cancer in women. Cervical cancer's crude incidence rate in Iran is 6-8 per 100,000. The HPV vaccine provides a chance to considerably decrease the transmission of most types of HPV. The aim of this study was to evaluate awareness and knowledge of HPV infection and vaccines and to assess the attitude and approach toward these vaccines among female nurses at Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was performed among 380 female nurses. Data were collected using a questionnaire was consisted in demographic variables and questions on knowledge of participants about HPV infection, HPV vaccine and cervical cancer and also questions on attitude of ourses towards HPV vaccination. The validity and internal consistency of questionnaire was confirmed during experts consents and pilot testing (alpha = 0.79). Data analysis was performed using SPSS15 using chi2-test or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty questionnaires were distributed and 357 female nurses completed and returned their questionnaires: Only one hundred and thirty-one of the nurses (36.7%) knew about HPV infection and how it can cause abnormal pap Smear results. about 147 (41.2%) of the nurses stated they would want to be vaccinated. About 146 (40.9%) of respondents supported vaccination of preadolescent girls. CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm the lack of knowledge about HPV vaccine and its relation to cervical cancer and also the ways of this cancer prevention. Our study shows an urgent need to design similar studies in other regions of Iran and draw a broad estimation on knowledge of different target groups to make a national program to increase the knowledge of women on this matter and help to decrease the rate of cervical cancer in Iranian population.

Conservative management of young women with endometrial carcinoma or complex atypical hyperplasia: report of three cases and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Although endometrial cancer is primarily a postmenopausal disease, 25% of patients are in premenopausal age with 3-5% being 40 years old or younger. The younger groups of women with endometrial carcinoma are frequently nulligravid with a history of infertility and strong desire to preserve fertility, which may pose a therapeutic dilemma for both patients and physicians. CASE REPORTS: We report on three young women with atypical complex hyperplasia or early-stage endometrial cancer that were treated with conservative hormonal therapy. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Hormonal therapy has been proposed for young women with endometrial cancer (grade 1) who wish to preserve their fertility. However, detailed evaluation including physical examination, history taking, performing D&C, examining the specimen by a skilled pathologist, using imaging techniques, especially contrast enhanced MRI and for some patients explorative laparoscopy with sampling of peritoneal and lymph nodes, and evaluation of adnexa is necessary. Also for patients in Stage I/grade 1, advisory sessions on the benefits and side-effects of high-dose progesterone with evaluation of the endometrium every three months until total regression is recommended.