title: Knowledge, Behavioral, and Sociocultural Factors Related to Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Inner-City Women in Panama.
abstract: Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of mortality in developing countries regardless of biomedical advances in prevention modalities. Specifically, Panama experiences one of the highest rates of cervical cancer worldwide. The objective of this study was to explore knowledge, behavioral, and sociocultural factors related to cervical cancer prevention among Panamanian women. A theory-guided, population-based quantitative survey following participatory processes was administered to a randomized sample of females (18-44 years) residing in a high-risk Panamanian community. Participants (n = 324) reported low knowledge regarding HPV, cervical cancer, and the purpose of the Pap test. Furthermore, low perceived susceptibility, high-risk sexual behaviors (e.g., low contraception and condom use) and adverse attitudes toward the Pap test (e.g., shame, fear) were identified. Television, newspapers/magazines, and relatives/friends/neighbors were common sources to receive health information. Significant gaps in knowledge and behavioral factors were identified, which may interfere with cervical cancer prevention efforts. Future strategies should reflect the sociocultural context, such as interpersonal relations, when developing and implementing cervical cancer programs, with the ultimate goal of decreasing the persistent burden among Latin American women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC56, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA. cvamos@health.usf.edu.
authors.forename: Cheryl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Vamos
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC56, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
authors.forename: Arlene E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Calvo
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC56, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
authors.forename: Ellen M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Daley
authors.affiliation: Center for Infection Research in Cancer, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Anna R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Giuliano
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC56, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
authors.forename: Humberto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: López Castillo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003469:Culture; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010176:Panama; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000208:ethnology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Behaviors; Cervical cancer; HPV; Knowledge; Panama; Sociocultural