Barriers and motivators for uptake of cervical cancer prevention strategies in Eastern Europe: the perspective from Latvia.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of cervical cancer (CC) in eastern European countries is high; however, uptake of available prevention strategies is suboptimal. We explored knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes toward CC prevention strategies in Latvian women. METHODS: A mixed-methods study of Latvian women, consisting of surveys and semi-structured interviews, was conducted in Riga, Latvia in September and October 2015. RESULTS: Altogether, 158 surveys were completed and 10 interviews were conducted. In total, 87% (n = 135) had previously had a smear test, and 67% (n = 105) correctly identified that cervical cytology was performed to identify precancerous changes. The practice of annual gynecological checkups was prevalent, and many believed it to be synonymous with cervical screening. Detailed knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the HPV vaccine was deficient, although 73% (n = 115) and 70% (n = 90), respectively, claimed to have heard of them. Negative attitudes existed regarding the HPV vaccine due to fear of potential side effects. On learning that HPV was transmitted through sexual contact, the notion of testing positive for HPV was met with shame and embarrassment. CONCLUSIONS: A small proportion of Latvian women are over-screened, whereas many women remain unscreened. The main contributing factor for this was their poor understanding of the roles that cervical screening and HPV vaccination play in preventing CC.

Awareness of HPV infection and attitudes toward HPV vaccination among Latvian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate awareness of HPV and its vaccine among Latvian adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a 2-week period in September 2015 among 270 adolescents attending a secondary school in Riga, Latvia. All students present during sexual-health classes (grades 10-12 [aged 16-21 years]) were included. A self-administered paper-based survey assessed sociodemographic factors, sexual behaviours, smear history and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections, HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge, and sources of information. RESULTS: Overall, 121 surveys were completed (62 by male students and 59 by female students). Latvian adolescents lacked awareness of HPV: only 26 (21.5%) had heard of HPV (21 [35.6%] female students vs 5 [8.1%] male students; P<0.001) and 12 (9.9%) of the HPV vaccine. Eighty (66.1%) participants felt inadequately informed about HPV. However, the adolescents partook in high-risk behaviours: 70 (57.9%) students were sexually active, 26 (37.1%) of whom had already had three or more sexual partners. CONCLUSION: Despite the high prevalence of HPV in Latvia, poor knowledge about HPV infection among adolescents could explain low uptake of the HPV vaccine by this high-risk population. Therefore, educational strategies that highlight the consequences of HPV could promote acceptance of vaccination.