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

Background: 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.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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).

Conclusions: 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.