Table 4 Summary of HPV infection awareness among women (N’ = 542)

How frequent is cervical cancer in women?

Very frequent

40

7.4

Frequent

162

29.9

Rare

228

42.1

Not sure

112

20.7

What do you think is/are the main reasons for cervical cancer?*

Abnormal cells growing inside the body

166

30.6

Bacterial infection

62

11.4

Viral infection

124

22.9

None

45

8.3

Not sure

153

28.2

Which among these can cause cervical cancer?*

Persistent infection with HPV

131

24.2

Rous sarcoma virus

14

2.6

Hereditary/genetic factors

160

29.5

None

50

9.2

Not sure

194

35.8

What do you think can turn into cervical cancer*

Genital warts

86

15.9

Bacterial infection

63

11.6

Viral infection

119

22.0

Fungal infection

25

4.6

None

57

10.5

Not sure

195

36.0

Apart from avoiding unwanted pregnancy, what would you think can happen with using contraceptive pills*

Protects against cervical cancer

33

6.1

Increases risk of cervical cancer

158

29.2

No ill effect at all

159

29.3

Not sure

192

35.4

Did you hear about HPV before?

Yes

168

31.3

No

369

68.7

Missing

5

-

If yes*,

General physician

76

14.0

Friend or family member

27

5.0

Internet

14

2.6

TV/Magazine/Newspaper

30

5.5

Other

3

0.6

How is HPV transmitted?*

Contaminated food/ Water

7

1.3

Mosquito bite

2

0.4

Sexually

344

63.5

None

18

3.3

Not sure

167

30.8

How is cervical cancer diagnosed?*

Pap smear test (Papanicolaou test)

139

25.6

Colposcopy

24

4.4

Biopsy sample testing (histological)

185

34.1

All above

141

26.0

None

3

0.6

Not sure

53

9.8

Is it possible to prevent cervical cancer?

Yes

432

80.9

No

34

6.4

Not sure

68

12.7

Missing

8

-

If yes*,

Through cancer vaccine

56

10.3

Through responsible sexual behavior

116

21.4

Through cervical screening

272

50.2

Through condom use

13

2.4

If the vaccine against cervical cancer is available, would you be interested in getting vaccinated?

Yes

495

91.3

No

47

8.7