Clinical trial NCT06800456: The Role of Cyberchondria Severity in the Relationship Between HPV Awareness and Vaccination Attitudes in Adult Women
Official title: The Role of Cyberchondria Severity in the Relationship Between HPV Awareness and Vaccination Attitudes in Adult Women
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Conditions: Human Papillomavirus Infection
HPV Vaccines
Cyberchondria
Awareness
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Lead sponsor: Acibadem University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-01-30
Enrollment: 337
Sex: FEMALE
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 49
Standard ages: ADULT
Observational model: OTHER
Time perspective: PROSPECTIVE
Sampling method: PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: The study includes women aged 18-49 years, who have completed at least elementary school education. The study aims to explore awareness and concern levels regarding HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) among women within the specified age range and educational background.

Brief summary: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection linked to nearly all cases (99%) of cervical cancer. Prophylactic HPV vaccination is effective in preventing these cancers, complemented by HPV screening and treatment of precancerous lesions. The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030 through focused efforts on vaccination, diagnosis, and treatment.

Primary prevention strategies include reducing sexual risk factors and administering prophylactic vaccines. Despite awareness of HPV testing, many women lack understanding of its importance and fail to follow through with screenings and necessary treatments. Overall societal awareness of HPV remains inadequate.

Studies reveal disparities in HPV vaccine awareness: while 60.7% of women have heard of the vaccine, only 1% have received it. Awareness varies widely across regions, with Turkey reporting rates from 3.8% to 57%, and vaccine awareness ranging from 2.2% to 74.7% (Özdemir et al., 2020). In the UK, concerns over potential negative results lead many women to defer HPV testing.

Health anxiety, defined as interpreting minor symptoms as serious health issues, drives individuals to seek excessive online health information, a phenomenon known as cyberchondria. Studies link cyberchondria with heightened health anxiety, exacerbated by prolonged internet searches.

Barriers to HPV screening and vaccination include fear of side effects, lack of information, cost concerns, and anxiety over potential outcomes. While women testing positive for HPV show higher levels of cyberchondria, no direct correlation has been established between cyberchondria severity and HPV awareness or vaccination attitudes in adult women.

This summary encapsulates the key findings and insights from the referenced studies on HPV, vaccination, and health anxiety.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Women aged 18-49 years old
* At least elementary school education

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals diagnosed with psychiatric disorders
* Women who are HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) positive
* Any condition that would hinder communication (e.g., language barrier)

Primary outcomes:
measure: Introduction Information Forum
timeFrame: Upon presentation to the clinic
measure: Human Papilloma Virus Awareness and Concern Scale for Women (Women HPV-ACS)
timeFrame: Upon presentation to the clinic
measure: Cyberchondria Severity Scale Short Form (CSS-SF)
timeFrame: Upon presentation to the clinic
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Ataşehir
country: Turkey
facility: Güzin Ünlü Suvari
state: İstanbul
Study officials:
affiliation: Acibadem University
name: Merve Coşkun, phd
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Bakirköy Dr.Sadi Konuk Trainng and Research Hospital
name: İrem Nur Özdemir, phd
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
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citation: Barke A, Bleichhardt G, Rief W, Doering BK. The Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS): German Validation and Development of a Short Form. Int J Behav Med. 2016 Oct;23(5):595-605. doi: 10.1007/s12529-016-9549-8.
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