Assessment of awareness level among women about cervical smears, human papillomavirus (HPV), and HPV vaccine in Saudi Arabia

There is relatively low awareness about Human papillomavirus (HPV) in Saudi Arabia. Increased awareness is required to gain better knowledge, particularly among the general population. This study aims to evaluate the awareness level of women about cervical smears, HPV, and HPV vaccine. Also, this study evaluates the effectiveness of the Saudi Ministry of Health's campaign aimed to raise awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine by comparing data collected before and after the campaign. This study employed a cross-sectional, online survey-based design conducted in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected during two periods: 2022 and 2024. The target participants were women aged 18 and older residing in Saudi Arabia. Exclusions included individuals with a history of HPV infection and those who did not provide consent. The questionnaire comprised 26 items, organized into three sections: sociodemographic information, awareness levels of HPV and the HPV vaccine, and cervical screening practices and vaccine acceptance. A total of 858 women participated in this study. Overall, 49.4% of women were aware of HPV, and 38% were aware of the HPV vaccine. Over two-thirds (67.6%) were willing to receive a free HPV vaccination. Social media was the most common source of information (HPV: 63.2%; HPV vaccine: 57.1%). From 2022 to 2024, there was a significant increase in HPV awareness, rising from 38.8% in 2022 to 71.1% in 2024 (p < 0.001), and awareness of the HPV vaccine significantly increased from 28.2% to 58.7% (p < 0.001). Despite these improvements in awareness, only 25.8% of participants reported having undergone cervical cancer screening (Pap smear). The main drivers for awareness are knowledge-based (knowing the vaccine exists for men/children, knowing where to get it). For acceptance of HPV vaccine, the strongest psychological driver is a parent's willingness to vaccinate their children. This study highlights the success of the Saudi Ministry of Health's campaign in raising awareness about HPV and its vaccine. Despite this progress, the low uptake of cervical cancer screening remains a critical public health issue. Greater emphasis on the importance of pap smear tests is needed to enhance early detection and prevention of cervical cancer.