Cervical cancer awareness and human papilloma virus knowledge among Syrian refugee women in Turkiye: impact of language proficiency and screening history
Abstract
Aims: Cervical cancer remains a major global health problem despite being preventable, with human papillomavirus (HPV) causing 99% of cases. While screening and vaccination have reduced incidence in high-income settings, refugee and migrant women face higher risks due to limited health literacy and language barriers.
Methods: Sexually active women aged 18–65 years attending a tertiary obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic were consecutively recruited (n=208). Data were collected face-to-face using a sociodemographic form and an Arabic-translated, culturally reviewed version of the 33-item Waller Human Papillomavirus Knowledge Scale (total Cronbach’s α=0.940). Nonparametric comparisons and multiple linear regression were performed (p<0.05).
Results: Participants’ mean age was 37.58±14.17 years; mean age at first pregnancy 22.03±4.83; mean total pregnancies 3.33±2.60; 83.65% had given birth. While 64.9% reported Turkish proficiency, only 25% had ever had a Pap smear. HPV knowledge was extremely low (total score 3.72±5.88). Turkish-speaking women had markedly higher knowledge across all subdomains and in total (5.70±6.49 vs 0.07±0.58; p<0.001), and women with prior Pap smear had higher scores than those never screened (p<0.001); parity showed no association (p>0.05). In regression, Pap smear history (β=0.848; +11.63 points) and Turkish proficiency (β=0.097; +1.21 points) independently predicted knowledge (R²=0.811), whereas age at first pregnancy did not.
Conclusion: These findings show a knowledge deficit among Syrian refugee women, worsened by language barriers, indicating that obstetric/gynecologic contacts fail to provide preventive education. Using culturally sensitive Arabic materials and leveraging screening encounters for HPV counseling may improve free screening uptake and reduce cervical cancer mortality in this population.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
None
Ethical Statement
Before starting the research, approval was obtained from the Clinical Researches Ethics Committee of Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Medicine (Date:30.07.2025, Decision No: 21).
Thanks
None
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Preventative Health Care, Social Determinants of Health
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
March 27, 2026
Submission Date
February 23, 2026
Acceptance Date
March 15, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 2
APA
Beyazıt, A., Sevindik, H. C., & Bereket, L. (2026). Cervical cancer awareness and human papilloma virus knowledge among Syrian refugee women in Turkiye: impact of language proficiency and screening history. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 7(2), 349-354. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1895748
AMA
1.Beyazıt A, Sevindik HC, Bereket L. Cervical cancer awareness and human papilloma virus knowledge among Syrian refugee women in Turkiye: impact of language proficiency and screening history. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7(2):349-354. doi:10.47582/jompac.1895748
Chicago
Beyazıt, Ahmet, Hasan Cem Sevindik, and Leyla Bereket. 2026. “Cervical Cancer Awareness and Human Papilloma Virus Knowledge Among Syrian Refugee Women in Turkiye: Impact of Language Proficiency and Screening History”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 (2): 349-54. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1895748.
EndNote
Beyazıt A, Sevindik HC, Bereket L (March 1, 2026) Cervical cancer awareness and human papilloma virus knowledge among Syrian refugee women in Turkiye: impact of language proficiency and screening history. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 2 349–354.
IEEE
[1]A. Beyazıt, H. C. Sevindik, and L. Bereket, “Cervical cancer awareness and human papilloma virus knowledge among Syrian refugee women in Turkiye: impact of language proficiency and screening history”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 349–354, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.47582/jompac.1895748.
ISNAD
Beyazıt, Ahmet - Sevindik, Hasan Cem - Bereket, Leyla. “Cervical Cancer Awareness and Human Papilloma Virus Knowledge Among Syrian Refugee Women in Turkiye: Impact of Language Proficiency and Screening History”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7/2 (March 1, 2026): 349-354. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1895748.
JAMA
1.Beyazıt A, Sevindik HC, Bereket L. Cervical cancer awareness and human papilloma virus knowledge among Syrian refugee women in Turkiye: impact of language proficiency and screening history. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7:349–354.
MLA
Beyazıt, Ahmet, et al. “Cervical Cancer Awareness and Human Papilloma Virus Knowledge Among Syrian Refugee Women in Turkiye: Impact of Language Proficiency and Screening History”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 7, no. 2, Mar. 2026, pp. 349-54, doi:10.47582/jompac.1895748.
Vancouver
1.Ahmet Beyazıt, Hasan Cem Sevindik, Leyla Bereket. Cervical cancer awareness and human papilloma virus knowledge among Syrian refugee women in Turkiye: impact of language proficiency and screening history. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026 Mar. 1;7(2):349-54. doi:10.47582/jompac.1895748
