A community-based intervention in middle schools to improve HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening in Japan

Abstract

AimJapan has low rates of cervical cancer screening and Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination. This research examines the effectiveness of a family medicine resident-led, intervention in increasing knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer in middle school-girls and increasing knowledge and intention to have cervical cancer screening in their mothers.MethodsWe utilized a pre-test/post-test intervention design in three rural middle schools with 7th grade middle school-girls and their mothers. A school-based activity educated girls about HPV and cervical cancer. A home-based activity utilized a homework assignment for girls and their mothers. Pre/post intervention surveys were completed by the girls and their mothers. Major outcomes included changes in knowledge among girls and mothers and barriers to be screened for cervical cancer among mothers.ResultsSixty-five students and sixty-three mothers completed the study. Two out five mothers were not in compliance with current screening recommendations. Identified barriers included: embarrassment (79%), poor access (56%), fear of having cancer (52%), and cervical cancer screening being an unknown procedure (46%). Forty-four percent of mothers deemed their daughters to be at risk for cervical cancer. Trusted sources of information included: doctors (97%), newspapers/television (89%), government (79%), the Internet (78%), and friends (62%). Student knowledge scores (7-point scale) improved significantly from pre- to post-intervention (4.8 vs. 5.9, p < 0.001). Knowledge scores (14-point scale) among mothers also significantly improved (11.7 vs. 12.0, p = 0.024).ConclusionsThese data suggest a community-based intervention on a sensitive topic by family medicine residents can be implemented in middle schools, can improve school-girls’ knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer, and can reach their mothers. Additional research could examine whether those intending to be screened receive screening and how to reach women who still resist screening.

Knowledge of Medical and Dental Iranian Students about the Infection and Vaccination of Human Papilloma Virus

“…The tendency of Chinese mothers for receiving HPV vaccine reported lower [20]. In the current study, the most comprehensive source of information about HPV was textbooks, while among Japanese students, 97% of the sources of information were physicians, 89% of newspapers and magazines, 79% the government and 78% internet [21]. The reason for the difference between our study and the Japanese research is that, the research in Japan was conducted on mothers and the daughters [21].…”

Estrategias lúdicas para aumentar el conocimiento de un grupo de adolescentes sobre el virus del papiloma humano

“…Con relación a las ETS se observó que los hombres poseen mayor conocimiento que las mujeres Respecto al VPH se encontró desconocimiento de las características del virus, manifestaciones clínicas y factores de riesgo, mientras que frente a su prevención tenían claridad sobre la necesidad del uso del preservativo masculino, aunque desconocían el condón femenino como método de barrera. Resultados similares hallaron en dos investigaciones en Malasia 17,18 en las que se encontró que los estudiantes desconocían la clínica, manejo y tratamiento de la infección y como consecuencia se mantenían inadvertidos ante la importancia del contagio y desinteresados para buscar información. En Chile y Colombia se encontró que la mayoría de los adolescentes conocen el condón, aunque le dan uso ocasional durante el acto sexual, además reconocen el preservativo como una herramienta de protección frente al VPH 19,20 .…”

“…La poca información de los adolescentes frente a la asociación de cáncer y VPH lo transforma en un problema de salud pública. Rashwan et al 18 reportaron que los estudiantes tenían bajo conocimiento sobre CCU y la aceptación de la vacuna contra el VPH. Al respecto se encuentran resultados similares en tres estudios, uno realizado en Chile 19 y los otros en España 21 y Colombia 22 según los cuales las adolescentes conocían poco la relación entre VPH con el CCU y la forma de transmisión, y tenían total desconocimiento de la vacuna o presentaban información errónea sobre ella.…”

Project conducted in Hirakata to improve cervical cancer screening rates in 20‐year‐old Japanese: Influencing parents to recommend that their daughters undergo cervical cancer screening

“…There is still an evidence gap as to whether the removal of out‐of‐pocket costs would be effective for specifically increasing the rate of cervical cancer screening . Some interventions were shown to be promising; however, an effective intervention has not been established to improve the first cervical cancer screening rate at age 20.…”

“…11 There is still an evidence gap as to whether the removal of out-of-pocket costs would be effective for specifically increasing the rate of cervical cancer screening. [11][12][13][14] Some interventions were shown to be promising; 15,16 however, an effective intervention has not been established to improve the first cervical cancer screening rate at age 20. In unpublished data from a previous Internet survey we conducted, we found that the more knowledgeable a mother was about cervical cancer, the more likely would be her intention to recommend that her daughter undergo her first cervical cancer screening.…”