title: Barriers to prevention: knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccinations among African American women.
abstract: 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).
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Anna E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Strohl
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Gricelda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mendoza
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Marissa S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ghant
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, and Center for Advancing Equity in Clinical Preventive Services, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Kenzie A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Spectrum Health Medical Group, Grand Rapids, MI.
authors.forename: Julian C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Schink
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. Electronic address: erica-marsh@northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Erica E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Marsh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
keywords: barrier; cervical cancer; human papillomavirus; knowledge; vaccination