Cervical cancer awareness and human papilloma virus knowledge among Syrian refugee women in Turkiye: impact of language proficiency and screening history

Aims: Cervical cancer remains a major global health problem despite being preventable, with human papillomavirus (HPV) causing 99% of cases. While screening and vaccination have reduced incidence in high-income settings, refugee and migrant women face higher risks due to limited health literacy and language barriers.Methods: Sexually active women aged 18–65 years attending a tertiary obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic were consecutively recruited (n=208). Data were collected face-to-face using a sociodemographic form and an Arabic-translated, culturally reviewed version of the 33-item Waller Human Papillomavirus Knowledge Scale (total Cronbach’s α=0.940). Nonparametric comparisons and multiple linear regression were performed (p