The mediating role of human papillomavirus concern in the relationship between human papillomavirus knowledge and preventive behaviors against sexually transmitted diseases among Turkish women with higher education.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of health-related concern in the relationship between human papillomavirus knowledge and behaviors for protection from sexually transmitted diseases among women of higher education. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 623 women. Data were collected online using the Personal Information Form, Human Papillomavirus Knowledge Scale, Behaviors for Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases Scale, and human papillomavirus Awareness and Concern Level Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling with Bootstrap analysis. RESULTS: The mean scores of the participants were 17.06±6.66 for Human Papillomavirus Knowledge Scale and 79.41±9.38 for Behaviors for Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases Scale. Correlation analyses showed that human papillomavirus knowledge was positively associated with awareness (r=0.239; p<0.001), health-related concern (r=0.121; p=0.002), and sexually transmitted disease prevention behaviors (r=0.423; p<0.001). Stigma-related concern was negatively associated with sexually transmitted disease prevention behaviors (r=-0.193; p<0.001). Structural Equation Modeling analyses demonstrated that human papillomavirus knowledge significantly predicted health-related concern (β=0.121; p=0.002), and health-related concern was significantly associated with sexually transmitted disease prevention behaviors (β=0.089; p=0.015). The indirect effect was statistically significant but limited (standardized indirect effect=0.011; p<0.05). The mediation model explained 1.5% of the variance in health-related concern and 18.6% of the variance in sexually transmitted disease prevention behaviors. CONCLUSION: Health-related concern demonstrated a statistically significant but limited partial mediating role in the relationship between human papillomavirus knowledge and sexually transmitted disease prevention behaviors. The findings suggest that cognitive and affective dimensions should be evaluated separately when examining human papillomavirus-related perceptions and preventive sexual health behaviors.