Table 2.
Knowledge of causes, transmission of HPV, risks and symptoms of cervical cancer
| Variable | Correct | Incorrect |
| response | response | |
| No (%) | No (%) | |
| Causes | ||
| HPV infection* | 53 (38.7%) | 84 (61.3%) |
| Genetic predisposition* | 32 (23.4%) | 105 (76.6%) |
| Certain foods | 131 (95.6%) | 6 (4.4%) |
| Bacterial infections | 103 (75.2%) | 34(24.8%) |
| Transmission | ||
| Sexual intercourse* | 83 (60.6%) | 54 (39.4%) |
| Direct genital contact* | 38 (27.7%) | 99 (72.3%) |
| Kissing | 137 (100%) | 0 (0%) |
| Body fluids | 112 (81.8%) | 25 (18.2%) |
| Drinking unsafe water | 135 (98.5%) | 2 (1.5%) |
| Mother to child transmission | 130 (94.9%) | 7 (5.1%) |
| Air droplets | 136 (99.3%) | 1 (0.7%) |
| Risks | ||
| Smoking* | 28 (20.4%) | 109 (79.6%) |
| Alcohol | 123 (89.8%) | 14 (10.2%) |
| Multiple sexual partners* | 65 (47.4%) | 72 (52.6%) |
| History of HPV infection* | 60 (43.8%) | 77 (56.2%) |
| Early sexual debut* | 51 (37.2%) | 86 (62.8%) |
| Impaired immunity* | 11 (8.0%) | 126 (92%) |
| Use of IUCD | 119 (86.9%) | 18 (13.1%) |
| Poor hygiene | 136 (99.3%) | 1 (0.7%) |
| Symptoms | ||
| Post coital bleeding* | 63 (46%) | 74 (54%) |
| Inter-menstrual bleeding* | 13 (9.5%) | 124 (90.5%) |
| Blood stained vaginal discharge* | 73 (53.3%) | 64 (46.7%) |
| Fever | 134 (97.8%) | 3 (2.2%) |
| Headache | 136 (99.3%) | 1 (0.7%) |
| Pelvic pain* | 26 (19%) | 111(81%) |
| Post-menopausal bleeding* | 52 (38%) | 85 (62%) |
| Painful coitus* | 59 (43.1%) | 78 (56.9%) |
Respondents were allowed to select more than one option* = correct answer