Enfermería Clínica (English Edition)

Relationship between HPV vaccine hesitancy and attitudes towards early detection of cervical cancer in women of reproductive age

This study aimed to examine the association between HPV vaccine hesitancy and attitudes towards the early detection of cervical cancer among women of reproductive age. This study uses a descriptive and correlational design. Data were collected between 15 May and 15 October 2023 from a sample of 1240 women of reproductive age using Google's online snowball survey tool. Data collection tools included an Information Form, the Attitudes Towards Early Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer Scale, and the Vaccination Hesitancy and Reasons Form based on the WHO 3Cs model. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency), the Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Bonferroni post-hoc analysis were used to analyse the data. The reliability of the scale was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Mugla Sitki Kocman University (Protocol No: 220186/Decision No: 15), and participants gave informed consent electronically prior to participation. The participants' mean age was 20.66 ± 2.38 years. Statistically significant differences were observed between variables such as educational status, income level, and primary residence, and attitudes toward HPV vaccination (P < .05). Smoking status was identified as a significant factor influencing vaccination attitudes (P = .001). Friends (38.4%) and the Internet (31.1%) were reported as the primary sources of information about HPV vaccination. Regarding barriers, 54.7% of participants stated they did not know where to obtain the vaccine, and 25% identified the requirement for multiple doses as a challenge. Concerns about vaccine safety (51.4%), fear of infertility (28.2%), and potential allergic reactions (19.7%) were also noted. Beliefs about the necessity of vaccination and its role in preventing cancer significantly influenced attitudes and hesitancy (P < .001). Overall, HPV vaccine hesitancy was closely associated with participants' level of knowledge, beliefs, and sociodemographic characteristics. To reduce vaccine hesitancy, it is important to establish accessible and trustworthy information channels, engage healthcare professionals more actively in HPV vaccination advocacy, and conduct public health campaigns targeting young adults through popular digital platforms. In addition, addressing structural barriers - such as the cost of the vaccine, access to vaccination centres and concerns about side effects - through policy-level action could significantly improve uptake of the vaccine and encourage participation in cervical cancer screening programs.

Levels of depression and self-esteem in women with cancer of the endometrium and cervix receiving chemotherapy treatment in Türkiye

Endometrium and cervical cancer is a common and important health problem that affects women in many physical, emotional and psychological aspects. This study aimed to determine the levels of depression and self-esteem in women with endometrial and cervical cancer receiving chemotherapy, determine the factors affecting them, and examine the relationship between the levels of depression and self-esteem. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 158 women who came to the gynecology-oncology policlinic and chemotherapy unit of a training and research hospital in Izmir, western Türkiye, between April 2022 and April 2023. Data were collected with the "Descriptive Information Form", "Beck Depression Inventory" and "Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale". Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to analyse the association between the study variables. In this study, 52.5% of women were diagnosed with endometrial cancer and 47.5% with cervical cancer. Beck Depression Inventory mean total score was 11.28 ± 6.35, and 20.3% of them were at risk of depression (BDI ≥ 17). Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale mean total score was 21.06 ± 3.85, and 97.5% of them had high self-esteem. There was a statistically significant and strong negative correlation between the mean total scores of the Beck Depression Inventory and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (r = 0.723; p < 0.05). It was determined that an increase in the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale mean total score by 1 unit decreased the Beck Depression Inventory mean total score by 1.2 units and was responsible for 52% of the variance (B = -1.192; R It was determined that one-fifth of women experienced moderate/severe depression and the majority of them had high self-esteem. The increase in women's depression levels decreased their self-esteem. Health professionals and oncology nurses should perform screenings to determine the depression and self-esteem levels of women with endometrial and cervical cancer and provide necessary education, counseling, and care to women.