title: HPV and cervical cancer testing and prevention: knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes among Hispanic women.
abstract: Cervical cancer is a preventable disease resulting from infection with high-risk types of sexually transmitted human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Public knowledge of HPVs and their link to cervical cancer is limited. Participation in cervical cancer prevention programs, including Pap and HPV screening and HPV vaccine acceptance, is crucial for limiting the incidence of cervical cancer. Hispanic women suffer the highest cervical cancer incidence rates in the United States. In this study, we conducted community-based focus groups with Hispanic women to explore knowledge and attitudes relating to cervical cancer, HPV, HPV testing, and HPV vaccination. Study findings suggest a need to increase public health literacy in relation to HPV, the link between HPV and cervical cancer, and HPV primary and secondary prevention options. Health care providers should be prepared to share information with patients that supports and promotes informed decision making about HPV testing and vaccines and their complementary roles in cervical cancer screening and prevention.
authors.affiliation: Coletta Reid and Associates, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.
authors.forename: Jan Gaylord
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Vanslyke
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baum
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Plaza
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Otero
authors.forename: Cosette
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: Deborah L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Helitzer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D000068857:Human Papillomavirus Recombinant Vaccine Quadrivalent, Types 6, 11, 16, 18; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D000068857:Human Papillomavirus Recombinant Vaccine Quadrivalent, Types 6, 11, 16, 18; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines