JNCR
Journal of Nursing Care Research

The mission of the journal is to contribute to the development of nursing science and care practices in Turkey and internationally. It is also to promote and disseminate new knowledge and research data for evidence-based care practices at all levels of nursing services. The Journal of Nursing Care Research deals with Fundamentals of Nursing, Internal Medicine Nursing, Surgical Nursing, Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Child Health and Diseases Nursing, Mental Health and Diseases Nursing, Public Health Nursing and Management in Nursing and accepts articles on these topics.

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Original Article
The relationship between attitudes and beliefs toward HPV testing and fatalism among university students
Abstract
Aims: This study investigates the influence of fatalistic beliefs on university students’ attitudes and beliefs toward HPV testing, emphasizing the psychological and social pathways affecting screening intentions.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March 1 and December 1, 2025, at a vocational school of health services offering two-year health education programs and enrolling students from diverse sociodemographic backgrounds. A total of 332 students completed an online questionnaire comprising the Attitudes and Beliefs Toward HPV Testing Scale and the Multidimensional Fatalism Scale. Data analyses were performed using R and included descriptive statistics, reliability testing, correlation analyses, and structural equation modeling (SEM) using the diagonally weighted least squares (DWLS) estimator.
Results: The sample was predominantly female (81.6%), and while awareness of HPV (82.2%), HPV testing awareness (78.0%), and HPV vaccination awareness (77.7%) was relatively high, the proportion of participants who had received the HPV vaccine was notably low (9.6%). Mean scores for HPV testing attitudes were 21.72±7.48 (Personal Barriers), 15.29±5.93 (Social Norms), 33.68±6.93 (Confidence), and 11.64±4.15 (Worries). Fatalism dimensions showed highest levels in Predetermination (24.77±4.79), Superstition (16.16±4.67), and Luck (12.03±3.19). Significant correlations were observed between fatalism and HPV testing attitudes, including positive correlations with Personal Barriers (r=.28), Social Norms (r=.29), and Worries (r=.14), and a negative correlation with Confidence (r=-.195) (p<.05). SEM results confirmed these relationships, showing that fatalism increased Personal Barriers (ß=.352), Social Norms (ß=.359), and Worries (ß=.196), while reducing Confidence in HPV testing (ß=-.241) (all p<.001). Model fit indices indicated acceptable fit (?²/df=2.59; RMSEA=.075; CFI=.930; NNFI=.920).
Conclusion: This study highlights fatalism as a significant determinant of attitudes toward HPV testing among university students, underscoring the need for culturally sensitive interventions aimed at reducing fatalistic beliefs and promoting HPV-related preventive behaviors.

Keywords : HPV testing, fatalism, health beliefs, nursing students, preventive health behavior

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Article available in :
Volume 3, Issue 3, 2026
Page : 85-91
https://doi.org/10.51271/JNCR-0054
Article Information
Received : 30 Ara 2025
Accepted : 05 May 2026
Published : 07 Tem 2026
Corresponding Author :

Hatice Kübra Yurdakul: PhD Student, Institute of Health Sciences, Başkent University, Ankara, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Yurdakul HK, & Akdağ Topal C. (2026). The relationship between attitudes and beliefs toward HPV testing and fatalism among university students. J Nurs Care Res, 3(3), 89-95. doi:10.51271/JNCR-0054

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