title: The females against cancer educational series: a qualitative evaluation of mother/daughter knowledge and perceptions of human papillomavirus and its related cancers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the knowledge, perceptions, and effectiveness of an human papillomavirus (HPV)/cervical cancer education/prevention program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Approximately 50 middle and high school girls and their mothers participated in the 7-part educational series. Qualitative pre-evaluations and postevaluations were completed for every session, followed by culminating focus groups with mothers and daughters separately.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Common themes included lack of basic knowledge about HPV and its related cancers. Additionally, mothers and daughters expressed difficulty in communicating with one another about healthy relationships; however, during the focus groups, both mothers and daughters discussed how they had utilized effective communication tools to discuss sensitive topics and make informed decisions together.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite recent HPV prevention campaigns, more innovative strategies must be implemented to educate more mothers and daughters of HPV and its dangers. Additionally, in educating communities about HPV and associated cancers, more innovative strategies should be mobilized to trigger discussions regarding protective behaviors against HPV.
authors: Research Faculty, Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, 220 Stoneridge Dr, Ste 208, Columbia, SC 29210, USA. trlouis0@mailbox.sc.edu
authors: Tasha R
authors: TR
authors: Louis-Nance
authors: Minnjuan W
authors: MW
authors: Flournoy
authors: Karen S
authors: KS
authors: Clinton
authors: Krystle
authors: K
authors: Hightower
authors: Neethu
authors: N
authors: Sebastian
authors: Larrell L
authors: LL
authors: Wilkinson
authors: Saundra H
authors: SH
authors: Glover
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D055815:Young Adult