Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitudes Towards HPV and Its Vaccination Among Women in the Medina Region: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

HPV represents one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide, with significant adverse clinical consequences such as cervical cancer. However, the knowledge and awareness regarding HPV and its vaccination, particularly among Saudi women, are still under debate. Our study aims to investigate the knowledge, awareness, and attitude toward HPV and its vaccines among women in the Medina region.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2024 to September 2024 in women aged more than 18 years and residing in Medina. The collected data included information regarding women's demographics, knowledge, awareness, and attitudes toward HPV and its vaccination. All the statistical analyses were executed using SPSS.

RESULTS

A total of 721 participants enrolled in our study after adequate completion of the online questionnaire. The majority of the population (45.2%) is aged 18-25 years, with 51.3% of participants being single regarding marital status. A total of 59.4% of the participants have heard about HPV, 37% know that it is sexually transmitted, and 37.4% know about its ability to cause cervical cancer. Social media and the internet were the primary sources of information regarding the HPV vaccine, with 41.6% thinking that the HPV vaccine can be effective against HPV infection. Around 40% of the participants showed an attitude toward receiving the HPV vaccine as they feel they are at risk. The educational status and monthly income were notably associated with the overall knowledge and awareness regarding HPV and its vaccine.

CONCLUSIONS

Our descriptive cross-sectional study highlights the significant gap in knowledge and awareness regarding HPV and its vaccine, with a lack of awareness identified as the commonest barrier preventing people from receiving the HPV vaccination. Hence, enhancing the knowledge and awareness level is essential to increase vaccination rates.

High-altitude Pulmonary Edema in Emergency Department: A Review

High altitude pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is a severe form of high-altitude disease that, if left untreated, can result in death in up to half of those who are affected. Lowlanders who rapidly go to elevations more than 2500-3000 m are more likely to develop high altitude pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Individual sensitivity owing to a low hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), quick pace of climb, male sex, usage of sleep medicine, high salt consumption, chilly ambient temperature, and intense physical effort are all risk factors. HAPE may be totally and quickly reversed if caught early and correctly treated. Slow climb is the most effective technique of prevention. A fall of at least 1000 meters, is the best and most certain treatment choice in HAPE. Supplemental oxygen, portable hyperbaric chambers, and pulmonary vasodilator medications (nifedipine and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors) may be beneficial. In this article we’ll be looking at the disease etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis and management.