Healthcare professionals' communication practices and preparedness in organised human papillomavirus-based cervical Cancer screening: A cross-sectional study in Central Portugal.
5 affiliations
- 1NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Center, CHRC, REAL, CCAL, NOVA University Lisbon, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal.
- 2Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Coimbra Francisco Gentil, Av. Bissaya Barreto 98, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal.
- 3Health Sciences School, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês D'Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal.
- 4Public Health Department, Central Region Health Administration, Av. Dom Afonso Henriques, 141, 3001-553 Coimbra, Portugal.
- 5National Institute of Health, Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 11, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
Abstract
Objective
To evaluate healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes, communication confidence and practices within an organised human papillomavirus (HPV)-based cervical cancer screening programme and identify factors associated with communication practices.Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 470 general practitioners and nurses involved in organised cervical cancer screening in Portugal's Central Region, January-March 2024. Participants completed a 28-item questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis identified communication domains, and generalised linear models examined factors associated with communication practices.Results
Knowledge of HPV infection and screening was relatively high, with gaps in HPV test interpretation and clinical management. General practitioners reported greater communication confidence than nurses. HPV infection- and screening-related information was communicated more frequently than information concerning HPV transmission and oncogenic risk. Professional group, knowledge of HPV infection and screening guidelines, communication confidence and communication of HPV test results were independently associated with the HPV infection and screening-related communication domain. No significant associations were identified for communication of HPV transmission and oncogenic risk.Conclusions
Despite relatively high knowledge, gaps remained in knowledge and communication practices, particularly regarding HPV transmission and oncogenic risk. Professional training integrating clinical knowledge with communication about HPV, cervical cancer screening and cancer risk may strengthen healthcare professionals' preparedness for HPV-based screening.
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BibTeX
@article{sousa2026healthcare,
title = {{Healthcare professionals' communication practices and preparedness in organised human papillomavirus-based cervical Cancer screening: A cross-sectional study in Central Portugal.}},
author = {Rita Sousa and José Alberto Fonseca-Moutinho and Fábio Gomes and Fernanda Loureiro and Ana Rita Goes and Patrícia Soares},
journal = {Preventive medicine reports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.pmedr.2026.103666},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42904119},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Healthcare professionals' communication practices and preparedness in organised human papillomavirus-based cervical Cancer screening: A cross-sectional study in Central Portugal.
AU - Rita Sousa
AU - José Alberto Fonseca-Moutinho
AU - Fábio Gomes
AU - Fernanda Loureiro
AU - Ana Rita Goes
AU - Patrícia Soares
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/10
JO - Preventive medicine reports
DO - 10.1016/j.pmedr.2026.103666
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42904119
AB - Objective To evaluate healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes, communication confidence and practices within an organised human papillomavirus (HPV)-based cervical cancer screening programme and identify factors associated with communication practices.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 470 general practitioners and nurses involved in organised cervical cancer screening in Portugal's Central Region, January-March 2024. Participants completed a 28-item questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis identified communication domains, and generalised linear models examined factors associated with communication practices.Results Knowledge of HPV infection and screening was relatively high, with gaps in HPV test interpretation and clinical management. General practitioners reported greater communication confidence than nurses. HPV infection- and screening-related information was communicated more frequently than information concerning HPV transmission and oncogenic risk. Professional group, knowledge of HPV infection and screening guidelines, communication confidence and communication of HPV test results were independently associated with the HPV infection and screening-related communication domain. No significant associations were identified for communication of HPV transmission and oncogenic risk.Conclusions Despite relatively high knowledge, gaps remained in knowledge and communication practices, particularly regarding HPV transmission and oncogenic risk. Professional training integrating clinical knowledge with communication about HPV, cervical cancer screening and cancer risk may strengthen healthcare professionals' preparedness for HPV-based screening.
SN - 2211-3355
ER -