283326
Role of maternal stress in cervical cancer screening and decisions about vaccinating sons and daughters against HPV
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, PhD, MPH,
Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, Department of Preventive Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Sheila Murphy, PhD,
Annenberg School of Communication, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Jimi Huh,
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Alhambra, CA
Nan ZHao, MPH,
Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Background: Maternal stress has been found to be a key factor in family decision-making related to children and mother's own health (Harrison, 2005). This study examines the role of maternal stress in cervical cancer screening (Pap tests) and child HPV vaccination. Methods: A RDD survey measuring life stress, self-efficacy, behavioral intentions and behaviors regarding Pap tests and HPV vaccination for sons and daughters was administered in Los Angeles (N=843) to Mexican-American, Korean-American, African-American, and Non-Hispanic-White women. Results: Findings from this study show there were no significant differences across ethnicity. Having too much to deal with was associated with a decreased likelihood of having a Pap test in the past two years (OR=.358, p < .001). This effect remained after controlling for insurance and socioeconomic status and was not mediated by self-efficacy to get a Pap test. Results also showed that having too much to deal with was negatively associated with mothers' intentions to vaccinate both their sons (β=-.096, p < .01) and daughters (β=-.115, p < .01) against HPV. However there was no association between a mother's level of stress and actually having her children vaccinated. Conclusions: Women who experience high levels of stress may de-prioritize their own health to provide medical care for their children. Reducing maternal stress may be an important intervention strategy to improve children's outcomes, and maternal health via cervical cancer screening. This study has implications for the development of best practices that improve cancer control and prevention for mothers and may impact children's health locally and globally.
Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
describe the relationship between maternal stress and cervical cancer prevention and control as an important predictor of children and mother's health.
discuss the role of stress and its impact on women and the health of their children, regardless of ethnicity and socioeconomic status
Keyword(s): Cancer Prevention, Maternal Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am PI in a Multiple PI structure of the NCI grant that developed this program. I have over 20 years of experience working with adolescents, their mothers and families in cancer control interventions to reduce disparities and improve maternal and child health. I provide oversight of the Patient Education and Community Outreach Center at the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center at USC, and I have worked in developing and testing behavioral interventions for 20 years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
