Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus: Differences by Self-Reported Treatment for Genital Warts and Sociodemographic Characteristics

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV) in individuals with genital warts compared with women from the general population without genital warts. Human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge among women reporting treatment for genital warts compared with HPV knowledge in women reporting no treatment was assessed using data from the population-based 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Three percent (N = 97) of women answered “yes” and 97% (N = 3,450) “no” to “Have you ever been treated for venereal warts or condyloma?” Women who reported treatment for genital warts, were more likely to have heard of HPV (odds ratio (OR): 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4–4.2 vs. no or don't know), to have been told they had HPV (OR: 24.5, 95% CI: 11.4–52.8), and to have accurate information about HPV, such as HPV causes cancer (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.8–4.3). A large proportion (41%) of women who reported treatment for genital warts, however, had not heard of HPV. These women tended to be older, poorer, less educated, non-Hispanic Black, less likely to have had a recent Pap test, and divorced, widowed, or separated. Women with genital warts are learning about HPV, but socioeconomically disadvantaged groups may need to be targeted.

This research was conducted while the first author was a cancer prevention fellow in the Genetic Epidemiology Branch. Dr. Koshiol is now in the Infections and Immunoepidemiology Branch.

This study was supported by the National Cancer Institute.

Notes

^a Accurate or inaccurate not applicable because these women did not report treatment for genital warts. Thus, it is not possible to determine if they should have reported having HPV.

^b These questions reverse the wording used in the survey in order to be consistent with the rest of the analysis.

^a OR = odds ratio (95% confidence interval). Weighted for sampling and adjusted for education.

^b CLR = confidence limit ratio, a measure of the precision of the OR (upper confidence limit divided by lower confidence limit).

^c ORs excluding women who answered “No” or “Don't know” to having heard of HPV: 21.5 (95% CI: 9.1–50.9) for ever had HPV, 1.9 (95% CI: 0.9–4.0) for HPV causes cancer, 1.8 (95% CI: 0.7–4.4) for HPV is sexually transmitted, 2.1 (95% CI: 0.9–5.2) for HPV infection is common, 5.4 (95% CI: 1.4–20.3) for HPV often goes away on its own, 2.0 (95% CI: 0.6–6.2) for HPV causes abnormal pap, and 1.6 (95% CI: 0.5–4.7) for HPV does not affect ability to get pregnant.

^d These questions reverse the wording used in the survey in order to be consistent with the rest of the analysis.

^a OR = odds ratio (95% confidence interval), univariable but weighted for sampling. No/don't know is referent.