Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HPV infection, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccination among Emirati women

This study aimed to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, cervical cancer (CC), and HPV vaccination among Emirati women with the goal of informing the development of targeted public health interventions.

A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among Emirati women from January to May 2024 among Emirati women. A systematic sampling approach was used to recruit participants from Zayed University, Ajman University, and Al Tawam Hospital, in which context every third eligible adult female visitor was invited to participate in this research. The main outcome measures were KAPs practices regarding HPV infection, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccination.

The study included 216 Emirati women (median age: 21 years, range: 18-60 years). While 64.4% of the participants reported good knowledge about HPV infection and CC, only 58.3% reported good knowledge regarding HPV vaccination. Negative attitudes toward HPV infection and CC were reported by 76.9% of the participants. Preventive practices were reportedly high (72.2%), but only 28.2% of the participants had actually received the HPV vaccination.

Despite relatively high levels of CC awareness, misconceptions about HPV transmission and vaccination persist among Emirati women. Enhancing health education, involving healthcare providers, and addressing cultural concerns are essential for efforts to improve HPV prevention strategies and increase vaccine uptake in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).