TY - JOUR
T1 - Barriers to prevention
T2 - Knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccinations among African American women
AU - Strohl, Anna E.
AU - Mendoza, Gricelda
AU - Ghant, Marissa S.
AU - Cameron, Kenzie A.
AU - Simon, Melissa A.
AU - Schink, Julian C.
AU - Marsh, Erica E.
N1 - Funding Information:
We thank Northwestern University, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, National Institutes of Health, the Apostolic Church of God, and the Friends of Prentice organization for support of this research. We also thank the women who took part in this study, our research assistants, administrative assistants, and many others who made this study possible.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2015/1/1
Y1 - 2015/1/1
N2 - Objective The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge of the human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer, and HPV vaccination in African American women (AAW).Study Design This study was a quantitative cross-sectional survey of English-speaking, AAW, 18-70 years old who were recruited from a community fair in Chicago, IL. Surveys were distributed to a convenience sample to assess knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine. Cumulative knowledge scores were calculated for each participant, and analysis was performed to identify factors that were associated with adequate knowledge scores.Results Three hundred twenty-two surveys were distributed; 242 surveys were collected, and 215 surveys met inclusion criteria. Mean knowledge score was 12.3 ± 4.2 (mean ± SD) of a maximum score of 28 (range, 3-23); 73% of participants scored <65% on the knowledge portion of the survey. Education level (P =.007), household income (P =.010), and having a child who had been offered the HPV vaccine (P =.041) were associated with adequate (≥65% accuracy) knowledge scores.Conclusion Knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccination was low in this urban African American adult female population. Targeted educational health programs are needed to increase awareness among these women who have the highest rate of cervical cancer mortality in the United States. Such patient educational programs must be developed by physicians and should address the cultural and literacy needs of this particular group of women. In addition, AAW exert influence on the health of their communities and are integral in health-related decision-making; thus, educating them through their health care providers will have far ranging impact.
AB - Objective The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge of the human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer, and HPV vaccination in African American women (AAW).Study Design This study was a quantitative cross-sectional survey of English-speaking, AAW, 18-70 years old who were recruited from a community fair in Chicago, IL. Surveys were distributed to a convenience sample to assess knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine. Cumulative knowledge scores were calculated for each participant, and analysis was performed to identify factors that were associated with adequate knowledge scores.Results Three hundred twenty-two surveys were distributed; 242 surveys were collected, and 215 surveys met inclusion criteria. Mean knowledge score was 12.3 ± 4.2 (mean ± SD) of a maximum score of 28 (range, 3-23); 73% of participants scored <65% on the knowledge portion of the survey. Education level (P =.007), household income (P =.010), and having a child who had been offered the HPV vaccine (P =.041) were associated with adequate (≥65% accuracy) knowledge scores.Conclusion Knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccination was low in this urban African American adult female population. Targeted educational health programs are needed to increase awareness among these women who have the highest rate of cervical cancer mortality in the United States. Such patient educational programs must be developed by physicians and should address the cultural and literacy needs of this particular group of women. In addition, AAW exert influence on the health of their communities and are integral in health-related decision-making; thus, educating them through their health care providers will have far ranging impact.
KW - barrier cervical cancer
KW - human papillomavirus
KW - knowledge
KW - vaccination
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ajog.2014.06.059
DO - 10.1016/j.ajog.2014.06.059
M3 - Article
C2 - 24983684
AN - SCOPUS:84919386705
SN - 0002-9378
VL - 212
SP - 65.e1-65.e5
JO - American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
JF - American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
IS - 1
ER -
