ISIS Project: Intimate Sessions for Informed Sexuality

The ISIS Project was established by the Balm In Gilead, Inc to address the cervical cancer disparity among African American women through comprehensive cervical cancer prevention education. The Balm In Gilead partnered with women's missionary societies of three African American religious denominations with a combined reach of 7 million. Women's missionary societies pledged to make cervical cancer education and intervention a priority health concern in their ministries. Denominations were asked to co-host workshops and recruit women to attend these workshops. In 2005- 2006, the ISIS Project Tour was unveiled in Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta, Cincinnati, District of Columbia, and Jacksonville. A total of 536 women participated. Preliminary findings from 257 participants suggest the majority were between 46-65 years old and although 60% reported having a Pap test within the last year; reports of having an HPV test were less common. Approximately one-fourth of the sample (29%) reported ever having an HPV test. After the educational workshop 70% of the women indicated their intention to get tested for HPV on their next doctor's visit. There were interesting regional variations in these reports. This presentation will describe the approach; delineate program components, and present preliminary findings from year one. The church as a trusted institution in the Black community can play a significant role in education and dissemination of HPV and cervical cancer information. Reducing disparities in cervical cancer will depend on development and testing of effective intervention strategies. The ISIS Project promises to make a significant contribution to that endeavor.