KNOWLEDGE OF WOMEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH WOMEN ABOUT HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS

• Main Authors: Daniela Comelis Bertolin, Rita de Cássia Helú M. Ribeiro, Claudia Bernardi Cesarino, Dayana Coelho da SilvaDilma de Oliveira Prado, Eva Socorro Parro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal do Paraná 2010-12-01
• Series: Cogitare Enfermagem
• Subjects: Female homosexuality; Sexually transmitted diseases; Homosexuality
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.5380/ce.v15i4.20377

A quantitative and descriptive study, aimed at verifying the knowledge of women who have sex with women on ways of transmission, prevention and risk factors regarding to human papillomavirus (HPV). It was conducted with 31 women living in the city of Sao Jose do Rio Preto, São Paulo. Data were collected through structured questionnaire with 17 questions analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package of Social Sciences and descriptive statistics. It was found that the average age of women was 39.5 years, and that 52% had between 9 and 11 years of study. Regarding knowledge, 68% of women did not know the significance of HPV, 58% believed that condom protects fully 45% responded that Pap smears should be performed twice a year. It was concluded that there is a vulnerability to contamination due to exposure to HPV risk factors and lack of knowledge.