Differences in cervical cancer screening knowledge, practices, and beliefs: An examination of survey responses

Abstract

Among the identified barriers to HPV vaccination is the concern that women may compensate for their reduced susceptibility to cervical cancers by reducing cervical cancer screening. This exploratory study examined the relationship between cervical cancer screening rates and HPV vaccination. We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a convenience sample of women aged 21–35 attending a local minority health fair in July 2015. Data were analyzed in 2015–2016. Outcomes assessed were: receiving a Pap test within the last three years, awareness and comfort with current Pap test recommendations, and knowledge regarding the purpose of a Pap test. A total of 291 women were included in the analyses. Mean age was 28.5 years and 62% were non-Hispanic black. 84% had received a Pap test in the last three years and 33% had received at least one HPV vaccine. Logistic regression results showed that women who had been vaccinated did not have lower odds of having a Pap test in the past three years (OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 0.66–2.65). In an adjusted regression model controlling for age and race, vaccinated women were significantly more likely to have had a Pap test (AOR = 3.06; 95% CI = 1.37–6.83). Yet only 26% of women knew the purpose of a Pap test and the proportion who answered correctly was higher among non-Hispanic white women. Women who have been vaccinated for HPV are more likely to have been screened for cervical cancer. These results suggest areas for more robust studies examining pro-health attitudes, behaviors, and communication regarding vaccination and preventive screening.

Long Noncoding RNA ANRIL Promotes Cervical Cancer Development by Acting as a Sponge of miR-186

“…The pathological development of cervical cancers has been identified as a complicated pathogenetic process, involving a series of dysregulated tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes 11 . The function of lncRNAs has received increased attention in multiple tumors due to their widely actuating range, referring to transcription and posttranscription regulation 12 .…”

Hepatitis C Virus Screening Trends: Serial Cross-Sectional Analysis of the National Health Interview Survey Population, 2013–2015

“…This is especially relevant given research on other cancer screenings demonstrating people can be unaware of what they are being screened for. 42 However, the NHIS does ask participants about several preventive health screenings including HIV and hepatitis B testing, reducing the likelihood a participant may confuse them. Additionally, the use of large, nationally representative datasets is a commonly used technique to assess trends across the United States including several preventive health behaviors such as mammography, 43 colorectal cancer screening, 44,45 and genetic testing.…”

Persistent Disparities in Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake: Knowledge and Sociodemographic Determinants of Papanicolaou and Human Papillomavirus Testing Among Women in the United States

“…We measured Pap test knowledge and HPV knowledge separately by using a 7-item sum scale adapted from similar scales. [21][22][23][24] For each topic, participants were asked to read statements about Pap tests (eg, "You only need a Pap test if you have symptoms," "It tests for pregnancy") and HPV (eg, "HPV is sexually transmitted," "HPV is relatively rare") and indicate whether they believed each statement was true or false or they did not know. To calculate the overall knowledge scores, we recoded the correct answer for each item as 1 and other responses as 0, and we summed the items on a scale ranging from 0 to 7.…”