title: Linking cervical cancer to the human papillomavirus: findings from a qualitative study with Mexican women.
abstract: Cervical cancer is an important cause of mortality for women in developing countries. Researchers have established a link between cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV). We explored Mexican women's beliefs about cervical cancer and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HPV, to better understand the social implications of this linkage. We conducted eight focus groups with middle-aged and young women in Mexico City. Cervical cancer elicited different social and emotional responses than STIs; participants generally attached less culpability to it and saw it as more life threatening. Information campaigns should take into account differences in lay conceptions of these illnesses.
authors: Population Council, Mexico City, Mexico. sgarcia@popcouncil.org.mx
authors: Sandra G
authors: SG
authors: Garcia
authors: Davida
authors: D
authors: Becker
authors: Carrie
authors: C
authors: Tatum
authors: Tess
authors: T
authors: Aldrich
authors: Araceli
authors: A
authors: Fernández-C
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D016387:Women's Health