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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

J. Moraros, MD, MPH, CHES¹, Yelena Bird, MD, MPH¹, Larry K. Olsen, DrPH, CHES¹, Enrique Suarez, MD², Sasha King, BS¹, and David Barney, MSW, MPH, PhD³. (1) Department of Health Sciences, MSC 3HLS, New Mexico State University, P.O. Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001, 505-646-4300, johnmoraros@yahoo.com, (2) SADEC/FEMAP, Executive Director, Av. Plutarco Elias Calles No. 744 Nte., Col. Progresista, Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, (3) School of Social Work, New Mexico State University, MSC 3SW, PO Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003

Background: Cervical cancer rates in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico are reaching near epidemic proportions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the awareness, knowledge, screening, and prospective vaccination behaviors about HPV and cervical cancer in a population of Hispanic women who sought medical attention in a selected hospital in Juárez.

Significance: This study represents the seminal attempt to determine the knowledge and practices of women in Juárez, related to HPV and cervical cancer.

Methods: A total of 60 Mexican women were randomly selected and individually interviewed to determine their beliefs regarding HPV infection, their screening practices, their knowledge of cervical cancer, and the potential use of the HPV vaccine.

Findings: Participants were between 30 and 45 years of age, were married, with an average of six years of education. Participants had little understanding about the harmful effects of HPV and its link to cervical cancer and 37% had either never heard of or did not know the cause of cervical cancer. Among those who had never heard of HPV infection or the HPV vaccine, the majority stated they would be willing to vaccinate their children if it kept them from becoming ill, irrespective of whether their church agreed or disagreed with the HPV vaccination (p<0.01). Participants confirmed that economics and the physician's male gender were major barriers to regular cervical cancer screenings.

Conclusion: These findings can be used to implement public health awareness intervention strategies aimed at protecting and improving the health of women in Juárez against cervical cancer.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Describe the levels of knowledge of women in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico related to HPV and cervical cancer.
• Explain factors associated with lack of screening for cervical cancer among women in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation