Knowledge of cervical cancer among 25-54-year-old women in Beijing

The purpose of this study is to examine knowledge of cervical cancer and the relationship between knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical disease in a largely representative Beijing population. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in a Beijing population sample of married women ages 25 to 54 years (n = 6,339), evaluating knowledge and relevant factors with regard to cervical cancer. Knowledge levels were low; only 52.5% (n = 3,328) of the respondents knew that cervical cancer can be detected in its early stage. Only 26.9% reported that human HPV infections were risk factors for cervical cancer. The level of knowledge was lower among older, with less education, less income, unstable profession, and non-Beijing Hukou women (all P < 0.01). An increasing level of knowledge may impact positively on intentions to participate in cervical cancer screening. Education schemes to improve knowledge of cervical cancer should be performed in a multimodel, multichannel method.