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

Abstract #114671

Ellen M. Daley, PhD, MPH¹, Karen M. Perrin, PhD, MPH, RN², Robert J. McDermott, PhD³, Cheryl Vamos², Trisha E. Mueller, MPH¹, Holly Rayko, MA⁴, Jennifer L. Packing-Ebuen, MA⁵, and Mary McFarlane, PhD⁶. (1) Department of Community and Family Health College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, 813-974-8518, edaley@hsc.usf.edu, (2) Dept. of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC-56, Tampa, FL 33612, (3) Department of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida College of Public Health; Florida Prevention Research Center, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612-3805, (4) USF Student Health Services, 4202 East Fowler Ave., SHS 100, Tampa, FL 33620, (5) Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, 8068 N. 56th St., Tampa, FL 33617, (6) Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-44, Atlanta, GA 30333

Background: Receiving an abnormal cervical cancer screening result is an emotional experience, especially when coupled with an HPV diagnosis. The existence of multiple HPV types and their variable clinical manifestations creates confusion and distress for HPV+ women. The attitudinal and behavioral sequelae following diagnosis are only superficially known. Objective: This study classified emotional responses and assessed the impact of diagnosis on attitudes and behaviors among recently diagnosed HPV+ women. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 50 women recently diagnosed with HPV, then transcribed, coded and analyzed with Ethnograph.® Subsequently, 160 HPV+ women completed a written survey of HPV-related attitudes and behaviors. Results: Interviews revealed responses of stigma, fear, self-blame, powerlessness and anger. Survey results embellished these findings and revealed further reactions of worry (47%), embarrassment (34%), shock (32%), and confusion (32%). Whereas some women were reluctant to discuss their diagnosis with others, most indicated telling sexual partners and significant others and receiving empathetic support. Paradoxically, some women considered the high risk cancer-causing HPV types to be less threatening than more visibly apparent, but non-cancer associated HPV. Some women also were unable to articulate the relationship between their specific diagnosis and future risk status. Discussion: Confusion about actual HPV type and risk status may be a consequence of the plethora of negative emotions generated by diagnosis, despite women's willingness to disclose their HPV and garner partner empathy. Conclusions: Altering HPV's impact on women requires effective educational messages to assist them in understanding transmission, implications of diagnosis, and management of emotional responses.

Learning Objectives:

• •To explain why receiving an HPV-related diagnosis can create confusion and distress in women.
• •To identify the range of reactions HPV+ women experience.
• •To discuss how findings reveal the need for clear and consistent educational messages about HPV.

Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Women's Health

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.

Recorded presentation