Women’s knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors toward the prevention of human papillomavirus transmission

Objective: To identify the relationship between women's knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors and human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission prevention. Method: This was a cross-sectional study with a convenience sampling technique. The samples were from 649 women of reproductive age who either were married or who had once been married. Data were analyzed using the Pearson and Spearman correlation tests. Results: The results showed a statistically significant relationship between knowledge, beliefs and sexual behaviors, and the prevention of HPV transmission. Knowledge was the most dominant variable affecting the prevention of HPV transmission (r = 0.174) with p value < 0.001; the better the women's knowledge, the higher the prevention effort. Conclusions: Beliefs regarding HPV transmission, healthy sexual behavior, and knowledge of prevention could reduce the prevalence of HPV transmission and would improve women's health in general. In addition, providing education, avoiding the risk factors, early detection, and performing a regular screening of reproductive organs are the key factors in preventing HPV transmission.