Awareness Levels of Female Healthcare Workers Regarding HPV Vaccination and Cervical Cancer Screening in a University Hospital: A Descriptive Study

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the awareness levels of female healthcare workers employed at a university hospital regarding Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and cervical cancer screening tests. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted among female staff aged 18–65 years working at Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Hospital. Data were collected using an online questionnaire designed to assess participants’ knowledge and awareness about HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22.0, and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 403 female healthcare workers participated in the study. Only 3.2% of the participants reported having received the HPV vaccine. Among those who had not been vaccinated, 47.4% stated that they did not consider the vaccine necessary, while 42.1% reported insufficient knowledge about it. Additionally, 78.2% of the participants had never undergone a Pap smear test, with 74% of this group indicating that they did not perceive any health problems requiring such screening. There was a statistically significant difference in HPV and cervical cancer–related knowledge levels across different occupational groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings revealed that female healthcare workers demonstrated low levels of knowledge and awareness regarding HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening. This suggests that even individuals involved in healthcare delivery may not sufficiently utilize preventive health services. Continuous and structured educational programs targeting healthcare professionals are recommended to enhance awareness and participation in cervical cancer prevention initiatives.