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Journal of Community Health Dec 2021While human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccinations and Pap smear screenings are known to improve the survival rates and incidence of cervical cancer, refugee populations...
While human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccinations and Pap smear screenings are known to improve the survival rates and incidence of cervical cancer, refugee populations have traditionally been disadvantaged within this arena. Due to past and recent political issues in Myanmar, Burmese refugee women in Nebraska may be at particular risk due to their increasing numbers. This study examined 65 female Burmese refugees who were candidates for HPV vaccinations and 106 female Burmese refugees who could have received Pap smear screenings between 2010 and 2020. Of the 65 patients aged 11-26, 49.2% initiated the HPV vaccine series and 30.8% completed the series. In patients aged 13-17, 86.4% initiated the vaccine series and 54.6% completed the series. Of the 106 patients over 18 years of age, 32.1% had a Pap smear within the last 3 years. The need to improve HPV vaccine and Pap smear rates in refugee populations is clear. While focusing on the designated refugee exam may have improved HPV vaccine rates, it is important to examine gaps in knowledge with regards to attitudes surrounding HPV vaccines and Pap smears within the Burmese refugee population.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Alphapapillomavirus; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Nebraska; Papanicolaou Test; Papillomavirus Infections; Papillomavirus Vaccines; Refugees; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Vaccination; Vaginal Smears
PubMed: 34021437
DOI: 10.1007/s10900-021-01003-1 -
Journal of the American Association of... May 2023According to the World Health Organization, every minute, one woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer, and every 2 minutes, one woman dies of cervical cancer globally...
BACKGROUND
According to the World Health Organization, every minute, one woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer, and every 2 minutes, one woman dies of cervical cancer globally (World Health Organization, 2022). The biggest tragedy is 99% of cervical cancer is caused by a preventable sexually transmitted infection known as human papilloma virus (World Health Organization, 2022).
LOCAL PROBLEM
Many US universities indicate approximately 30% of their admissions are international students. The lack of Pap smear screening in this population has not been clearly identified by college health care providers.
METHODS
Fifty-one participants from a university located in the northeastern United States completed an online survey between September and October 2018. The survey was designed to identify disparities between United States residents and internationally admitted female students in their knowledge, attitudes, and practice of the Pap smear test.
INTERVENTIONS
One hundred percent of US students had heard of the Pap smear test as compared with 72.7% of international students ( p = .008); 86.8% of US students considered a Pap smear as opposed to 45.5% of international students ( p = .002), and 65.8% of US students previously had a Pap smear test as opposed to 18.8% of international students ( p = .007).
RESULTS
Results revealed statistically significant differences between US and internationally admitted female college students in knowledge, attitudes, and practice of the Pap smear test.
CONCLUSIONS
This project helps to bring awareness to college health clinicians the need for cervical cancer education and Pap smear screening for our college age international female population.
Topics: Female; Humans; Papanicolaou Test; Vaginal Smears; Universities; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Early Detection of Cancer; Students; Surveys and Questionnaires; New England; Mass Screening
PubMed: 36862575
DOI: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000846 -
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health Aug 2021African immigrant (AI) women remain burdened by cervical cancer, but the prevalence and correlates of Pap testing remains unclear in this population. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
African immigrant (AI) women remain burdened by cervical cancer, but the prevalence and correlates of Pap testing remains unclear in this population.
OBJECTIVE
To review studies on the prevalence and determinants of Pap testing among AI women living in developed countries.
METHODS
PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Scopus were searched for relevant articles that included African-born immigrant participants; were published in English; addressed the prevalence of Pap testing; conducted in a developed country; and identified correlates of Pap testing behavior. The Andersen Behavioral Model guided synthesis of the key findings.
RESULTS
Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of Pap testing ranged from 4.6% to 73.0%. Having a female provider and access to primary care facilitated Pap testing. Barriers to Pap testing included low income, male healthcare providers, and no history of gynecological exam.
CONCLUSIONS
Healthcare providers and social determinants-particularly income and healthcare access, play an important role in improving Pap testing among AI women. Larger qualitative and mixed methods studies are needed to explore other important determinants of Pap testing such as disease knowledge, self-efficacy, health literacy to reduce the burden of cervical cancer among AI women.
Topics: Developed Countries; Early Detection of Cancer; Emigrants and Immigrants; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Papanicolaou Test; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Vaginal Smears
PubMed: 33165711
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-020-01119-x -
Ciencia & Saude Coletiva Sep 2019This paper reviews the limiting factors and facilitators of access to Brazilian cervical cancer care public health services. This review employed bibliographic database... (Review)
Review
This paper reviews the limiting factors and facilitators of access to Brazilian cervical cancer care public health services. This review employed bibliographic database Medline (interface with the Virtual Health Library/BVS and PubMed) and Lilacs / SciELO portals. We sought publications for the period 2011-2016 based on the use of specific terms from the sources consulted, regarding "cervical neoplasms" and "access to health services". We found 704 papers initially, which were shortlisted to 31 following adopted criteria, which were further reduced to 19 papers to make up the final selection. Access facilitating aspects such as wide coverage of the Pap smear test and coverage of biopsies equivalent to the number of altered prevention tests were mentioned. However, access limiting aspects such as inadequate Pap smear's periodicity, difficulties in scheduling appointments and exams, high rate of advanced staging and delays in diagnosis and treatment onset were also reported.
Topics: Biopsy; Brazil; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Papanicolaou Test; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Vaginal Smears
PubMed: 31508761
DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232018249.32592017 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Nov 2014Squamous epithelial cells are susceptible to infection by the human papillomavirus. Infection of squamous epithelium with oncogenic human papillomavirus types is... (Review)
Review
Squamous epithelial cells are susceptible to infection by the human papillomavirus. Infection of squamous epithelium with oncogenic human papillomavirus types is associated with development of dysplasia and potential malignant transformation. Historically, cervical cancer has been the most prevalent human papillomavirus-induced squamous neoplasia. However, because of widespread screening via Pap smear testing, rates of cervical cancer in the United States have decreased dramatically during the past 50 years. Rates of anal cancer, in contrast, have doubled during the past 30 years. The groups at highest risk for development of anal cancer are men who have sex with men, HIV-positive patients, and patients immunosuppressed as a result of solid-organ transplantation. By detecting dysplasia before it develops into invasive cancer, anal Pap smears may be a potentially useful screening tool for anal cancer, particularly in individuals known to be at increased risk. However, at this time, sufficient data supporting the benefit of anal Pap smear screening are lacking. With insufficient evidence, no national health care organizations currently recommend the use of anal Pap smears as a routine screening test, even among high-risk groups.
Topics: Anus Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Dermatology; Early Detection of Cancer; Humans; Incidence; Papanicolaou Test; Physician's Role; Risk Factors; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 25088812
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2014.06.045 -
European Journal of Oncology Nursing :... Feb 2016Nursing is a professional job characterized by high stress. Stress could be associated with less practice of health promoting behaviors; however, no study has...
PURPOSE
Nursing is a professional job characterized by high stress. Stress could be associated with less practice of health promoting behaviors; however, no study has investigated the relationship between job stress and health screening behaviors among nurses. This study aimed to describe the rate of Pap smears in hospital nurses and examine the effects of job stress on receiving a Pap smear.
METHODS
This study was a cross-sectional survey. The study participants were 30,681 full-time female nurses who were at least 30 years of age working in 100 hospitals across Taiwan. The study participants filled out an anonymous structured questionnaire from May to July, 2011. The outcome variable was having a Pap test during the previous 3 years. The level of stress was measured by a 19-item scale, with higher scores indicating higher stress levels.
RESULTS
About 62.4% of the nurses had a Pap smear during the previous three years. Each point increase in the stress score decreased the likelihood of Pap smears (OR = .997, 95% CI: .995-.999), after adjustment for participant characteristics, health status, health behaviors, and hospital characteristics.
CONCLUSION
Despite more knowledge and higher accessibility, nurses were less likely to have Pap smear screening than the general population. A higher level of job stress was associated with a lower likelihood of having a Pap smear. Hospital administrators could help decrease work-related stress and improve stress adaption among nurses in order to improve their health screening behaviors.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Attitude of Health Personnel; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Mass Screening; Middle Aged; Nurses; Papanicolaou Test; Surveys and Questionnaires; Taiwan; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Vaginal Smears; Work Performance
PubMed: 26226877
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2015.07.001 -
Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia =... 2016In Brazil, in 2012, 6.4% of the prison population was made up of women. The aim of the study was to verify the coverage of the Pap smear according to sociodemographic...
In Brazil, in 2012, 6.4% of the prison population was made up of women. The aim of the study was to verify the coverage of the Pap smear according to sociodemographic characteristics and health problems reported among incarcerated women. Cross-sectional study conducted from August 2012 to July 2013, considering the records of 702 inmates aged between 25 and 64 years and the duration of imprisonment (not less than 12 months). The average age of the women surveyed was 34.7 years. The performance of cervical cytology was reported by 26.3% of inmates. There were no difference in prevalence according to selected variables. The containment condition enables the implementation of preventive measures such as offering and realization of Pap smear for most inmates. The observed results are worrying and differ significantly from those presented in the national diagnosis on the health of incarcerated women.
Topics: Adult; Brazil; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Papanicolaou Test; Prisoners
PubMed: 27849280
DOI: 10.1590/1980-5497201600030017 -
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... Dec 2015To determine the agreement/variability between colposcopic findings, Pap smear cytology and histopathological diagnosis in gynaecology patients. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
To determine the agreement/variability between colposcopic findings, Pap smear cytology and histopathological diagnosis in gynaecology patients.
METHODS
The cross-sectional cohort study was conducted from October 2010 to September 2011 at the Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, and comprised women who presented to the out-patient department with various gynaecological complaints. Colposcopy was performed in all women with unhealthy cervix during gynaecological examination, abnormal Pap smear report, recurrent vaginal discharge and postcoital bleeding. Pap smear was performed before colposcopy if not done earlier. Colposcopic findings were recorded on a specially-designed proforma. Biopsies from abnormal areas were taken and sent for histopathology. Colposcopic findings were compared with histopathology and Pap smear reports The agreement between the methods was evaluated by using Kappa coefficient and chi square test at a significance level of 5%.
RESULTS
The mean age of the 143 women was 44 8.5 years (range: 25-72 years). Colposcopic findings were normal in 66(46%) women, while 77(54%) had abnormal findings and among the latter, 62(80.5%) had abnormal histopathology, indicating strong agreement (K=0.65; p<0.001). Pap smear report was abnormal in 48(33.5%) cases and among them histopathology was abnormal in 28(58%). In the remaining 95(66.4%) patients with normal Pap smear, histopathology was abnormal in 44((46%), indicating weak agreement between Pap smear and histopathological diagnosis (K=0.10; p=0.08).
CONCLUSIONS
There was a strong agreement between colposcopic findings and histopathological diagnosis. However, agreement between cytological findings and colposcopic findings and cytology and histopathological diagnosis remained weak.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Cohort Studies; Colposcopy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Genital Diseases, Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Papanicolaou Test; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Vaginal Smears
PubMed: 26627510
DOI: No ID Found -
The Medical Journal of Malaysia Feb 2019Cervical cancer is among the most common cancers in women worldwide. The Pap smear test is the primary screening procedure used to detect abnormal cells that may develop...
INTRODUCTION
Cervical cancer is among the most common cancers in women worldwide. The Pap smear test is the primary screening procedure used to detect abnormal cells that may develop into cancer.
OBJECTIVES
This study analysed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of working women in Kedah state, Malaysia, about cervical cancer and Pap smear tests and the associations of knowledge, attitudes and practices with socio-demographic factors.
METHODS
This cross-sectional questionnaire study analysed knowledge, attitudes and practices among 210 female entrepreneurs who received funding from Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) in Kedah state. Women were included if they were married or previously married, aged 20-65 years and had not been diagnosed with cervical cancer.
RESULTS
Most subjects could not recall common symptoms of cervical cancer, such as bleeding between periods, and did not know or were unsure of the suitable age for Pap smear tests and the interval between tests. Although most subjects agreed that Pap smear tests were necessary, some gave priority to other issues. About half (55.2%) had undergone Pap smear tests, but only 38.6% had been tested within the previous five years. Use of hormonal contraceptives, higher knowledge score, and higher attitude score were associated with Pap smear testing within the previous 5 years.
CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge regarding cervical cancer and Pap smear testing and attitudes toward testing were poor among most participants. These factors were significantly associated with lack of actual testing.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Malaysia; Middle Aged; Papanicolaou Test; Surveys and Questionnaires; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Young Adult
PubMed: 30846655
DOI: No ID Found -
Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive... 2018The aim of this study was to determine the association between pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and non-human papillomavirus (HPV) Papanicolaou (Pap) smear abnormalities.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the association between pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and non-human papillomavirus (HPV) Papanicolaou (Pap) smear abnormalities.
METHODS
This was a retrospective cohort study of women aged 40 to 70 years who presented for consultation at our institution between 2010 and 2015 and had results of a Pap smear and HPV test available within 5 years of their visit. We extracted demographic information, medical and social history, Pap smear, and HPV results from the electronic medical record. Associations between the presence of POP and non-HPV Pap smear abnormalities were estimated using univariable and multivariable analyses.
RESULTS
We reviewed 1590 charts and excluded 980 women, leaving 610 women in the study: 183 with POP and 427 without POP. Women with POP were significantly older (58.2 ± 7.2 vs 55.6 ± 6.6, P < 0.01) and more likely to have a remote (>10 year) history of abnormal Pap smear (24.0% vs 14.8%, P < 0.01). The rate of non-HPV-associated abnormal Pap smears was higher in the POP group than in the non-POP group (12/183 [6.6%] vs 12/427 [2.8%], P = 0.029). In the POP group, the rate of non-HPV Pap smear abnormality was significantly associated with increasing prolapse stage (stage 1: 0/16 [0%], stage 2: 5/77 [6.5%], stage 3: 3/73 [4.1%], stage 4: 4/17 [23.5%]; P = 0.02). After controlling for age and remote history of abnormal Pap smear, the odds ratio for non-HPV Pap smear abnormalities in the POP group remained significant (2.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-5.79).
CONCLUSIONS
Human papillomavirus-negative Pap smear abnormalities may be related to POP. Our findings have important implications for surgeons seeking to leave the cervix in situ in women with POP.
Topics: Aged; Case-Control Studies; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Negative Results; Papanicolaou Test; Papillomaviridae; Pelvic Organ Prolapse; Retrospective Studies; Vaginal Smears
PubMed: 28708758
DOI: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000000448