211084 Acceptability Survey of HPV Vaccine Among Female Sex Workers in Lima, Peru

Monday, November 9, 2009

Brandon J. Brown, MPH , Dept. of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Cesar Carcamo, MD, PhD , Facultad de Salud Pública y Administración, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
Maria Valderrama , Facultad de Salud Pública y Administración, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
Magaly Blas , Facultad de Salud Pública y Administración, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
Neal Halsey, MD , Dept. of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
  
Objectives: To determine the level of awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV), and investigate the potential acceptability of HPV vaccine among female sex workers (FSWs) in Peru.

Methods: Behavioral and vaccine related knowledge data were collected from FSWs aged 18-29 in Lima, Peru. These questionnaires were administered individually by trained interviewers at Patrucco Clinic and surrounding sex venues using convenience sampling.

Results: The average age of the 319 women was 24 years, and the mean age of first sex work is 20.5 years. Less than half (44%) of FSWs had heard of HPV and 47% correctly reported HPV as the cause of cervical cancer. 65% of women reported that condoms prevent HPV infection, while only 7% knew of a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Overall, clinic attendees were more knowledgeable about HPV than women approached at sex venues. Nearly 100% of participants would like to receive HPV vaccine, but many listed potential barriers to vaccination. Only eight women said they would not pay for an HPV vaccine, while the average amount women were willing to pay is 27.7 dollars (range 1.8-357 dollars). 99% of women reported being able to complete all 3 vaccine doses.

Conclusions: FSWs are a population at high risk of HPV infection and subsequent cervical cancer, thus they should have access to HPV vaccine. Due to low knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer, FSWs should be targeted for HPV education campaigns. Barriers to vaccination of FSWs can be overcome.

Learning Objectives:
Assess the level of awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) among female sex workers in Peru. Evaluate the potential acceptability of HPV vaccine among female sex workers in Peru.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Delta Omega student nominee
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.

See more of: Delta Omega Poster Session I
See more of: Academic Public Health Caucus