Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105635

Chih-Hsun Huang, EdD and Jenny K. Yi, PhD, MPH. Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 3855 Holman St. Garrison Bldg 104, Houston, TX 77204, 713-743-9841, chhamber@yahoo.com

Vietnamese-American women are more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer than other ethnic groups. Risk factors such as smoking and sexual behavior contribute to the high rates of cervical cancer. Earlier studies have shown that acculturated Vietnamese-American women were more likely to smoke and reported higher rate of sexual intercourse than less acculturated Vietnamese-American women. However, few studies explored factors associated with Pap testing adherence among college-aged women at high risk. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of Pap testing among college-aged Vietnamese women who had the health risk behaviors of cervical cancer - smoking and sexual behaviors (e.g., intercourse).

Data were collected using the mail survey method. It was a random survey done only to students with Vietnamese last names. Of those respondents (n=148), 57.4% had never had a Pap test. Our results indicated low levels of cervical cancer screening among college-aged Vietnamese-American women. Among sexually active (60.8%) students, 34.1% had never had a Pap test. Less acculturated women who were sexually active but unmarried were at particular high risk. Among former and current smokers (26.4%), 23.1% had never obtained a Pap test. Culturally appropriate health education efforts to increase the adherence of cervical cancer screening should make special effort to target these vulnerable women. Implications of the study findings will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: The participants will be able to

• identify the prevalence of smoking and sexual behaviors among college-aged Vietnamese-American women
• identify factors associated with Pap testing adherence among college-aged Vietnamese-American women and
• discuss the educational implications for cervical cancer prevention and screening among college-aged Vietnamese-American women.

Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Asian Americans

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.