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JAMA Network Open Nov 2023Understanding disparities in human papillomavirus (HPV) awareness is crucial, given its association with vaccine uptake.
IMPORTANCE
Understanding disparities in human papillomavirus (HPV) awareness is crucial, given its association with vaccine uptake.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate differences in HPV awareness by educational attainment, race, ethnicity, and their intersectionality.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This cross-sectional study used the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5 cycles 1 to 4 data (January 26, 2017, to June 15, 2020). The data were analyzed from December 12, 2022, to June 20, 2023. A sample of the noninstitutionalized civilian US population 18 years or older was included in the analysis.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Weighted prevalence of HPV awareness, HPV vaccine awareness, and knowledge that HPV causes cancer, stratified by educational attainment and by race and ethnicity. Interaction between educational attainment and race and ethnicity was assessed using a Wald test.
RESULTS
A total of 15 637 participants had educational attainment data available; of these, 51.2% were women, and the median age was 58 (IQR, 44-69) years. A total of 14 444 participants had race and ethnicity information available; of these, 4.6% were Asian, 13.9% were Black, 15.3% were Hispanic, 62.6% were White, and 3.6% were of other race or ethnicity (including American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and more than 1 race or ethnicity). Awareness of HPV by educational attainment ranged from 40.4% for less than high school to 78.2% for college or higher; awareness by race and ethnicity ranged from 46.9% among Asian individuals to 70.2% among White individuals. Awareness of HPV vaccines across educational attainment ranged from 34.7% among those with less than high school to 74.7% among those with a college degree or higher and by race and ethnicity from 48.4% among Asian individuals to 68.2% among White individuals. Among adults who were aware of HPV, knowledge that HPV causes cervical cancer differed by educational attainment, ranging from 51.7% among those with less than high school to 84.7% among those with a college degree or higher, and by race and ethnicity, ranging from 66.0% among Black individuals to 77.9% among Asian individuals. The interaction between educational attainment and race and ethnicity on HPV awareness and HPV vaccine awareness was not significant; however, within each educational attainment level, awareness differed by race and ethnicity, with the lowest awareness consistently among Asian individuals regardless of educational attainment. Within each racial and ethnic group, HPV awareness and HPV vaccine awareness significantly decreased with decreasing educational attainment.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Disparities in HPV awareness were evident across social factors, with the lowest awareness among Asian individuals and individuals with lower educational attainment. These results emphasize the importance of considering social factors in HPV awareness campaigns to increase HPV vaccination.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Male; Ethnicity; Human Papillomavirus Viruses; Cross-Sectional Studies; Papillomavirus Infections; Educational Status; Papillomavirus Vaccines
PubMed: 37962885
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.43325 -
Journal of Cancer Research and... Oct 2023The incidence of 5-Fluorouracil (5FU)- induced leukoencephalopathy is <5% among the patients treated with this agent. It may present with disorientation, confusion,...
The incidence of 5-Fluorouracil (5FU)- induced leukoencephalopathy is <5% among the patients treated with this agent. It may present with disorientation, confusion, agitation, seizure, and coma. It should be suspected when patients present with any of these symptoms during or immediately after 5FU chemotherapy. Early detection of drug-induced leukoencephalopathy is important as the clinical symptoms can be reversed by early discontinuation of the drug. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of this adverse neurologic effect of 5FU. We describe the case of a 35-year-old female with carcinoma esophagus with 5FU-induced leukoencephalopathy.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adult; Awareness; Carcinoma; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Fluorouracil; Leukoencephalopathies
PubMed: 38376324
DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_2165_21 -
BMC Public Health Aug 2023Over one-third of cancer cases are attributable to modifiable risk factors. Because health-related behaviors are often established at adolescence, it is important that...
BACKGROUND
Over one-third of cancer cases are attributable to modifiable risk factors. Because health-related behaviors are often established at adolescence, it is important that adolescents understand the risks and lifestyle decisions that may reduce their chances of developing cancer. This study aims to identify the levels of cancer awareness of adolescents in Australia.
METHODS
Paper questionnaires were used to collect information about baseline levels of cancer awareness. These questionnaires included socio-demographic questions and the Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) with slight modifications to ensure their suitability for the Australian adolescent population. Students aged 11 to 19 years were recruited from 13 Australian high schools between 2016 and 2019.
RESULTS
A total of 766 adolescents (58% female, mean age = 14.5 years) completed the questionnaires. Adolescents' cancer awareness was low. Adolescents who knew someone with cancer recognized significantly more cancer risk factors and cancer warning signs than those who did not know someone with cancer (t (756) = 2.35, p = .019; t (747) = 5.57, p = .001). Those from high Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) schools significantly recognized more cancer risk factors than those from low ICSEA schools (t (764) = 2.42, p = .016). Females recognized significantly more warning signs than males (t (583) = 3.11, p = .002) and students from senior high school grades recognized more warning signs than those from junior grades (t (754) = 2.24, p = .02). Most adolescents (78%) were aware of skin cancer as one of the most common cancers in Australia, however half or less were aware of other common cancers. Although most adolescents would seek medical help in the presence of possible cancer symptoms as soon as possible, approximately 20% of them would not see a doctor promptly. Emotional barriers were the most common reasons to delay seeing a doctor (56%), for example "being worried about hearing bad news" (27%).
CONCLUSIONS
Australian adolescents show poor awareness of cancer risk factors and cancer warning signs. A number of demographic and experience factors were found to be related to lower cancer awareness. Education is essential to raise cancer awareness, promote healthy lifestyles from adolescence and avoid a preventable cancer diagnosis.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adolescent; Female; Australia; Health Behavior; Health Education; Risk Factors; Skin Neoplasms; Surveys and Questionnaires; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
PubMed: 37528377
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16406-z -
PloS One 2023We aimed to describe the trends and influence factors in the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among US Adults from 1999 to 2018.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to describe the trends and influence factors in the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among US Adults from 1999 to 2018.
METHODS
We utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning ten survey cycles (n = 53,496). Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension were calculated using survey weights. Joinpoint regression and survey-weighted generalized linear models were used to analyze trends and influence factors, respectively.
RESULTS
The estimated prevalence of hypertension increased significantly from 33.53% to 40.58% (AAPC = 0.896, P = 0.002) during 1999-2018 with dropping rate of newly diagnosed hypertension from 8.62% to 4.82% before 2014 (APC = -4.075, P = 0.001), and then rose to 7.51% in 2018 (APC = 12.302, P = 0.126). Despite modest improvements or stability in the awareness, treatment, and control since 1999, the latter two remained inadequate in 2018 at 59.52% and 51.71%. There was an uptrend in the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (from 24.02% to 45.71%) and angiotensin receptor blockers (from 20.22% to 38.38%), and downtrend in β-blocker (from 12.71% to 4.21%). Men were at higher risk of incidence, un-awareness, un-treatment, and un-control for hypertension. Lower income and education were associated with susceptibility to hypertension, while being married was favorable for treatment and control. Optimal health reduced the incidence of hypertension, and increased the awareness and treatment.
CONCLUSION
Although the rate of newly diagnosed hypertension has declined slightly since 2010 in the US, the prevalence of hypertension is increasing, and treatment and control rates remain inadequate. To manage hypertension effectively, we need to focus on screening and prevention for high-risk populations, while advocating for optimal health to improve the burden of hypertension.
Topics: Male; Adult; Humans; Nutrition Surveys; Prevalence; Hypertension; Risk Factors; Linear Models; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Awareness; Antihypertensive Agents
PubMed: 37768964
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292159 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Jul 2023E-cigarette use poses an additional risk for individuals who are not cigarette smokers, especially adolescents. The marketing tactics of the industry have substantially...
INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE
E-cigarette use poses an additional risk for individuals who are not cigarette smokers, especially adolescents. The marketing tactics of the industry have substantially increased the prevalence of e-cigarettes, use among adolescents. India banned e-cigarette in September 2019 that has been criticized by interested groups. We investigated that among adults and adolescents, who are more aware and using e-cigarette more?
METHODS
The data were taken from a population-based representative household survey conducted in Mumbai and Kolkata in the year 2019-2020. A household was enrolled if it had a 12-14 year old adolescent living in it and both adolescent and adult caregivers agreed to participate in the survey. The data from 944 adolescents out of 15,436 enumerated in Mumbai and 1038 out of 24,284 enumerated in Kolkata and their caregivers were analyzed for awareness and ever use of e-cigarettes. Result: The awareness of e-cigarettes among 12-14 year olds in Mumbai was 15.5%, almost identical among boys and girls whereas is in Kolkata it was 11.2%. In contrast, among the adolescents' adult caregivers in Mumbai, the awareness was low, 3.9% and in Kolkata, 4.6%. Overall awareness was significantly higher among adolescents than among caregivers, especially among adolescent girls than among female caregivers in both cities.
CONCLUSION
The awareness and the use of e-cigarette were very little and the messages from the e-cigarette industry seem to be targeted more towards adolescents than adults. The ban on an e-cigarette in India has helped in prevented the marketing of ENDS to adolescents.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; Adolescent; Female; Child; Smoking; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Caregivers; Cities; Cross-Sectional Studies
PubMed: 37505747
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.7.2195 -
Review of Philosophy and Psychology 2024We are each aware of our own experiences as they occur, but in this inner awareness our experiences do not seem to be presented to us as objects in the way that they...
We are each aware of our own experiences as they occur, but in this inner awareness our experiences do not seem to be presented to us as objects in the way that they typically are when we reflect on them. A number of philosophers, principally in the phenomenological tradition, have characterised this in terms of inner awareness being a non-objectifying mode of awareness. This claim has faced persistent objections that the notion of non-objectifying awareness is obscure or merely negatively characterised. In this paper I shall outline a positive conception of a non-objectifying mode of awareness, feature-encountering awareness. I shall apply this conception to our awareness of our experiences, characterising it as an awareness of instantiations of phenomenal properties in a temporal dimension. Inner awareness thus characterised clearly differs from standard modes of objectifying awareness.
PubMed: 38497034
DOI: 10.1007/s13164-022-00665-7 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jun 2023: Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is known to cause cervical cancer. The incidence and... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
: Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is known to cause cervical cancer. The incidence and mortality of cervical cancer has drastically reduced due to effective vaccination against HPV in developed countries. The projected rise in cervical cancer cases in Latin American and Caribbean countries necessitates a study to evaluate awareness about HPV, cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine, and prevention among women in Antigua and Barbuda. : This was an observational, cross-sectional study. The participants were women aged between 18 and 65 years, residing in Antigua and Barbuda. The study was conducted over the period of February to April 2023. After taking informed consent electronically, sociodemographic and behavioral data was collected through questionnaires sent out as links and QR-codes and were analyzed by Qualtrics. The association between the demographic groups and awareness about HPV, cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine, and prevention was analyzed by a Chi-square test. : In total, 467 women were included in the study. The percentage of participants aware of HPV was 91.6% ( = 412). A total of 70.7% ( = 318) and 56.7% ( = 255) women were aware that cervical cancer is caused by HPV and is sexually transmitted, respectively. Although 70.6% ( = 315) of participants were aware that the vaccine protects against HPV, only 12.8% ( = 57) were vaccinated. Of the participants, 49.7% (n = 192) were willing to get vaccinated. The percentage of participants aware of the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear procedure was 98.9% ( = 435) and 87.8% ( = 382) had a Pap smear within the last 10 years while 12.2% ( = 53) never had a Pap smear screening. The willingness to know more information about HPV and the HPV vaccine among the participants was 77% ( = 335). : The overall awareness among women in Antigua and Barbuda about HPV, cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine, and prevention was high. We recommend a national health education program and vaccine drive to complement our findings.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Male; Human Papillomavirus Viruses; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Vaginal Smears; Papillomavirus Infections; Antigua and Barbuda; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Surveys and Questionnaires; Papillomavirus Vaccines
PubMed: 37512042
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59071230 -
Cureus Aug 2023Pregnancy is a natural physiological process that leads to the outstanding outcome of giving birth. It involves normal and abnormal signs and symptoms that women need to...
BACKGROUND
Pregnancy is a natural physiological process that leads to the outstanding outcome of giving birth. It involves normal and abnormal signs and symptoms that women need to be aware of during this period.
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to assess the awareness and knowledge about normal and abnormal signs and symptoms of pregnancy among women of childbearing age in Saudi Arabia.
METHODS
This is an online questionnaire-based cross-sectional study done in 2023 among women in Saudi Arabia, aged 18 to 45. The estimated sample size was 385 after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. However, 981 responses were collected and included.
RESULTS
A total of 981 participants were included in our study. The study findings noted that the majority of women demonstrated a good level of knowledge about the normal signs and symptoms of pregnancy. About 82% of the women reported that they knew mood swings were normal symptoms during pregnancy, 80.1% were aware of nausea, 75.9% knew about fatigue, and 68.9% knew about fainting or dizziness. The findings noted that less than half of the participants were fully aware of the abnormal obstetric signs. For the abnormal signs and symptoms during the first trimester, only 45.2% were fully aware of the symptoms. In the second trimester, 39.0% were fully aware of the symptoms. Only 30.5% of the participants were fully aware of the abnormal signs and symptoms in the third trimester. The study established a statistically significant relationship between age and knowledge of abnormal symptoms during the first, second, and third trimesters (P=0.027, 0.041, and 0.006) (r=0.139, 0.105, and 0.146). Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was found between the level of education of the participants and the level of awareness of abnormal symptoms during the first trimester (P=0.043). However, there was no significant relationship between education level and the level of knowledge regarding abnormal symptoms during the second and third trimesters (r=0.22, 0.061, P=0.578, 0.603).
CONCLUSION
The study found that the majority of women had a good level of awareness and knowledge about normal signs and symptoms of pregnancy, while less than half of the women were fully aware of the abnormal signs and symptoms at different stages of pregnancy. The older respondents and people with higher levels of education demonstrated more knowledge. The two variables, age and education level, had a statistically significant relationship with knowledge of abnormal signs and symptoms of pregnancy with education level being only significant during the first trimester period. Our study concluded that women had different symptoms during pregnancy, both normal and abnormal. Their knowledge about these signs and symptoms was considerably moderate, but further awareness about the normality of these signs is needed. The study recommends more research to measure women's awareness about normal and abnormal symptoms of pregnancy, and more awareness programs should be carried out in the region as a way of enhancing a better understanding of normal and abnormal pregnancy symptoms. This will go a long way in helping women through their pregnancy and make them more comfortable.
PubMed: 37791216
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44470