177421 Feminine Hygiene Practices and Risk for HPV among Haitian Women

Monday, October 27, 2008

Erin Kobetz, PhD, MPH , Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Leonard Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Janelle Menard, PhD, MA, MPH , Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL
Lindley Barbee, PhD , University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Jenny Blanco, MPH , Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL
Anna Giuliano, PhD , Program Leader: Risk Assessment, Detection, and Intervention, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL
Pascale Auguste , Hatian American Association Against Cancer, Miami, FL
Mirlene Jacques , Haitian American Association Against Cancer, Miami, FL
Jennifer Hu, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Joseph Lucci, MD , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Director of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Thomas M. Hooton, MD , Institute for Women's Health, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
BACKGROUND

Preliminary data suggests Haitian women residing in Little Haiti, the predominately Haitian neighborhood in Miami, Florida, have higher rates of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection than other racial/ethnic minorities and immigrant population sub-groups in the Miami metropolitan area. This disparity may, in part, be attributable to twalet deba, a feminine hygiene ritual regularly performed by Haitian women to clean the vagina and external genitalia, as well as to tighten and dry the vagina. This practice involves the use of products that contain known carcinogens.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between twalet deba and risk of HPV among Haitian women.

METHODS

Our research integrates community-based participatory research with laboratory-based science to test hypotheses about differences in rates of HPV infection among Haitian women who regularly practice twalet deba versus those who do not. Community Health Workers will recruit 350 women to provide a cervical specimen using a self-administered sampling device and complete a short interview that gauges, among other things, knowledge of HPV, risk factors for infection, and screening history. Cervical specimens are tested for HPV using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). .

RESULTS

Preliminary findings indicate that Haitian women who engage in twalet deba are more likely to be infected with HPV, even after controlling for known risk factors for infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Future research must examine possible mechanisms that explain the association between twalet deba and HPV infection, as well as, identify safe, culturally-acceptable alternatives for this practice.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session, participants will be able to: 1) Describe the twalet deba and the socio-cultural significance of this feminine hygiene practice 2) Discuss the relationship between twalet deba and HPV infection among Haitian women 3) Explain possible biologic mechanisms that account for the association between twalet deba and HPV

Keywords: Culture, Cervical Cancer

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Principal Investigator. This represents my independent research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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