Online Program

292537
Healthcare provider sharing/explaining and HIV-positive women's understanding of cancer health information about abnormal pap test results


Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 12:45 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Lisa T. Wigfall, PhD, Health Services Policy and Management, University of South Carolina - Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC
Shalanda Bynum, PhD, MPH, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
Daniela B. Friedman, PhD, Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Heather M. Brandt, PhD, CHES, Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior & Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina-Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC
Donna L. Richter, EdD, FAAHB, Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Saundra H. Glover, PhD, MBA, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
James R. Hebert, ScD, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Although immunosuppression increases HIV-positive women's risk for developing cervical cancer, the link between HIV infection, HPV infection and cervical cancer is not well understood among this high cancer risk group of women. This study examined healthcare providers' sharing/explaining of cancer health information with/to HIV-positive women. We also examined HIV-positive women's understanding of cancer health information shared/explained. We recruited 145 urban and rural dwelling HIV-positive women (90% Black). Cervical cancer prevention knowledge and screening behaviors were assessed using an interviewer-administered online survey. Those who had an abnormal Pap test result were asked if their healthcare provider gave them information to read about/explained what an abnormal Pap test result meant (Yes/No). We also assessed HIV-positive women's understanding of the information explained (A lot/Some/A little/Not at all). Bivariate associations between understanding cancer health information and sociodemographic characteristics (including health literacy) were examined. Most (69%) had an abnormal Pap test (100/145), and 69% received cancer health information which the majority (87%) read. What an abnormal Pap test result meant was explained to 76% of which more than half (58%) reported that they understood the information “a lot.” Among those who only understood the information “some” or “a little,” 38% had at least some college (p=0.029) and almost half (47%) had high health literacy (p=0.005). Improving health literacy is one our nation's health goals. But even some HIV-positive women with high health literacy may still have difficulty understanding cancer health information. Our findings underscore the need for effective cancer health communication and education strategies.

Learning Areas:

Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
Describe healthcare provider sharing of cancer health information with HIV-positive women following an abnormal Pap test result. Describe HIV-positive women’s understanding of cancer health information based on sociodemographic characteristics (including health literacy).

Keyword(s): Health Communications, Cancer Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the PI and Co-PI of multiple federally funded grants on HIV prevention, women's health care decision-making, patient-provider communication, and care-seeking among PLWHA. These topics continue to be my scientific interests.
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.