HPV knowledge, anxiety, and sexual function in patients referred to a gynecological oncology clinic: a cross-sectional study

Nazlı Aylin Vural; Hande Nur Erölmez; Merve Aldıkaçtıoğlu Talmaç; Ecem Esma Yeğin; Zeliha Zeynep Satılmışoğlu; Ahmet Murat Pektaş; Nilüfer Çetinkaya Kocadal

HPV knowledge, anxiety, and sexual function in patients referred to a gynecological oncology clinic: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aims: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is among the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections worldwide and a leading cause of cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer. Despite growing public health programs, patient knowledge regarding HPV transmission, prevention, and clinical implications remains inconsistent. Anxiety and sexual concerns may occur in women with HPV positivity and/or cervical dysplasia, but their association with HPV knowledge remains unclear. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 364 patients referred to a gynecological oncology outpatient clinic with HPV positivity and/or cervical dysplasia. Sociodemographic data, including age, marital status, education level, contraceptive use, and smoking status, were collected. HPV knowledge was assessed using the validated Turkish version of the HPV knowledge scale. Anxiety and sexual function were assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF). Statistical analyses included Pearson and Spearman correlations, simple and multivariate linear regression, and logistic regression. Significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The mean age of participants was 37±8 years; 69% were married, and 41% were current smokers. The overall HPV knowledge score was 9.21±8.68 points. Knowledge was highest in the general-information domain (DIV1: mean 5.6, SD 4.99, median 5) and lowest in the national HPV vaccination programme domain (DIV4: mean 0.42, SD 0.73, median 0). The median BAI score was 13 (IQR: 6-25) and the median IFSF score was 24 (IQR: 13-31). No statistically significant association was found between HPV knowledge score and anxiety (Pearson r=0.045, p=0.405; Spearman ρ=0.042, p=0.441) or sexual function (Pearson r=0.046, p=0.42; Spearman ρ=0.029, p=0.61). In the secondary logistic regression analysis using IFSF ≤30, HPV knowledge was not associated with sexual dysfunction risk after adjustment (aOR 1.012, 95% CI 0.979-1.046, p=0.4699). In the adjusted models, education level and smoking status were associated with BAI scores, whereas education level and marital status were associated with IFSF ≤30. Conclusion: HPV knowledge showed no significant association with anxiety or sexual function in this clinical population. These findings suggest that psychological and sexual outcomes may not be explained by HPV-specific knowledge alone. Comprehensive, personalized counseling should include psychological and sexual concerns, not only HPV-related information.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital, University of Health Sciences (approval number: KAEK/2021.08.179, approval date: 19.08.2021) prior to patient enrollment. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants before inclusion in the study. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Nazlı Aylin Vural ^*
0000-0003-0493-5439
Türkiye

Hande Nur Erölmez
0009-0004-3791-9157
Türkiye

Merve Aldıkaçtıoğlu Talmaç
0000-0001-7219-1772
Türkiye

Ecem Esma Yeğin
0000-0003-4385-472X
Türkiye

Zeliha Zeynep Satılmışoğlu
0000-0001-5582-8102
Türkiye

Ahmet Murat Pektaş
0000-0002-2491-3942
Türkiye

Nilüfer Çetinkaya Kocadal
0000-0001-9183-3558
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 25, 2026

Submission Date

April 13, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 28, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 3

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA72WW94EW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Vural, N. A., Erölmez, H. N., Aldıkaçtıoğlu Talmaç, M., Yeğin, E. E., Satılmışoğlu, Z. Z., Pektaş, A. M., & Çetinkaya Kocadal, N. (2026). HPV knowledge, anxiety, and sexual function in patients referred to a gynecological oncology clinic: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 7(3), 525-530. https://izlik.org/JA72WW94EW

AMA

1.Vural NA, Erölmez HN, Aldıkaçtıoğlu Talmaç M, et al. HPV knowledge, anxiety, and sexual function in patients referred to a gynecological oncology clinic: a cross-sectional study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7(3):525-530. https://izlik.org/JA72WW94EW

Chicago

Vural, Nazlı Aylin, Hande Nur Erölmez, Merve Aldıkaçtıoğlu Talmaç, et al. 2026. “HPV Knowledge, Anxiety, and Sexual Function in Patients Referred to a Gynecological Oncology Clinic: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 (3): 525-30. https://izlik.org/JA72WW94EW.

EndNote

Vural NA, Erölmez HN, Aldıkaçtıoğlu Talmaç M, Yeğin EE, Satılmışoğlu ZZ, Pektaş AM, Çetinkaya Kocadal N (June 1, 2026) HPV knowledge, anxiety, and sexual function in patients referred to a gynecological oncology clinic: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 3 525–530.

IEEE

[1]N. A. Vural et al., “HPV knowledge, anxiety, and sexual function in patients referred to a gynecological oncology clinic: a cross-sectional study”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 525–530, June 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA72WW94EW

ISNAD

Vural, Nazlı Aylin - Erölmez, Hande Nur - Aldıkaçtıoğlu Talmaç, Merve - Yeğin, Ecem Esma - Satılmışoğlu, Zeliha Zeynep - Pektaş, Ahmet Murat - Çetinkaya Kocadal, Nilüfer. “HPV Knowledge, Anxiety, and Sexual Function in Patients Referred to a Gynecological Oncology Clinic: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7/3 (June 1, 2026): 525-530. https://izlik.org/JA72WW94EW.

JAMA

1.Vural NA, Erölmez HN, Aldıkaçtıoğlu Talmaç M, Yeğin EE, Satılmışoğlu ZZ, Pektaş AM, Çetinkaya Kocadal N. HPV knowledge, anxiety, and sexual function in patients referred to a gynecological oncology clinic: a cross-sectional study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7:525–530.

MLA

Vural, Nazlı Aylin, et al. “HPV Knowledge, Anxiety, and Sexual Function in Patients Referred to a Gynecological Oncology Clinic: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 7, no. 3, June 2026, pp. 525-30, https://izlik.org/JA72WW94EW.

Vancouver

1.Nazlı Aylin Vural, Hande Nur Erölmez, Merve Aldıkaçtıoğlu Talmaç, Ecem Esma Yeğin, Zeliha Zeynep Satılmışoğlu, Ahmet Murat Pektaş, Nilüfer Çetinkaya Kocadal. HPV knowledge, anxiety, and sexual function in patients referred to a gynecological oncology clinic: a cross-sectional study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 1;7(3):525-30. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA72WW94EW