Recorded presentation

Vicki H. Wyatt, PhD¹, Robert M. Hamm, PhD¹, Kelly C. Juniper, MA¹, Katy D. Smith, MS¹, Donna H. McCree, PhD, MPH, RPh², Rilla Walker, BA¹, Allison O'Rourke, MPH³, and Scott W. Plunkett, PhD⁴. (1) Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 900 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, 405-271-8000 ext 32306, vickiwyatt@wyattgroup.biz, (2) Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Behavioral Interventions and Research Branch, 1600 Clifton Rd Mailstop E-44, Atlanta, GA 30333, (3) Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, 261 Calhoun Street, Suite 243, Charleston, SC 29414, (4) Family Environmental Sciences Department, California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330-8308

Objective: The objective is to explore how HR-HPV diagnosed women describe experiences with health care professionals delivering diagnosis messages. Methods: Thirty-seven focus groups (n=253) were conducted with HR-HPV diagnosed females (n=52; 16 groups), non-diagnosed females (n=82; 9 groups), males (n=119; 12 groups) stratified by age (n=87, 15-17 years; n=87, 18-33 years; n=79, 34-64 years), and racial/ethnic group (n=72, African Americans; n=115, American Indians; n=66, Whites). Groups were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim, checked for accuracy, coded, and analyzed by two evaluators independently. Results: Participants discussed the following topics about receiving a HR-HPV diagnosis: (1) reasons for visiting physicians; (2) methods of HPV testing; (3) conveying the diagnosis message; (4) information in the diagnosis; (5) length of time since diagnosis; (6) initial reaction to diagnosis; (7) treatment by health care professionals; (8) suggestions of changes in delivery of diagnosis message; (10) sufficiency of information provided (11) information needed in discussions with health care professionals. Confusion, shock, anxiety, and anger were typical feelings women experienced upon receiving a HR-HPV diagnosis. Women preferred to be informed of their diagnosis by physicians and preferred a pamphlet/written educational material. Women were as distressed about HPV being a sexually transmitted disease as they were about their risk of cervical cancer. Conclusions: Health care professionals should explain in simple terms the relationship between a diagnosis of HR-HPV, cervical dysplasia, and cervical cancer. Women diagnosed with HR-HPV need accessible information on the health risks and implications for future health care, and information on how to cope with personal relationships.

Learning Objectives:

The participants will (
• understand the methods health care professionals use to deliver a HR-HPV diagnosis; (
• describe the reactions of females on the implications of a HR-HPV diagnosis; (
• discuss the information included in a HR-HPV diagnosis message.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation