Awareness and knowledge of HPV, HPV vaccination, and cervical cancer among an indigenous Caribbean community
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Authors
Warner, Zachary Claude
Reid, Brandon
Auguste, Priscilla
Joseph, Winnie
Kepka, Deanna
Warner, Echo Lyn
Issue Date
2022-05-07
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Women’s Health , Caribbean Region , Cervical Cancer , Global Health , Health Beliefs , HPV , HPV Vaccine , Indigenous Peoples , Knowledge
Alternative Title
Abstract
Caribbean women experience a cervical cancer incidence rate that is three times higher than that among their North American counterparts. In this study, we performed a needs assessment of the knowledge and awareness of HPV, HPV vaccination, and cervical cancer and receipt of cervical cancer screening among an indigenous Caribbean community. We purposively recruited individuals aged ≥18 from a community health care clinic (n = 58) to complete a 57-item structured interview including items on demographics, cancer history, knowledge and awareness of HPV, HPV vaccines, cervical cancer, and cervical cancer screening. Participants’ mean age was 47.1 years (SD: 14.4). Most were female (74.1%), were married/partnered (51.7%), had primary education (63.8%), and identified as Kalinago (72.4%). Whereas 79.5% had heard of cervical cancer, few had heard of HPV (19.6%) or the HPV vaccine (21.8%). Among those who knew someone with cancer, 90.9% had heard of the HPV vaccine, compared with only 9.1% of those who did not know anyone with cancer (p = 0.02). Access to HPV vaccination is an immediate, cost-effective cancer prevention priority for reducing the disproportionate burden of HPV-related cancers, particularly cervical cancer, in the Caribbean. We recommend culturally targeted education interventions to improve knowledge about HPV vaccination and the link between HPV and cervical cancer.
Description
Citation
Warner, Z. C., Reid, B., Auguste, P., Joseph, W., Kepka, D., & Warner, E. L. (2022). Awareness and Knowledge of HPV, HPV Vaccination, and Cervical Cancer among an Indigenous Caribbean Community. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(9), 5694. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095694
Publisher
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health