Leopoldo Santiago Sanabria

Barriers in the prevention and early detection of human papillomavirus in Latin America

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the individual, social, cultural, health system, and structural barriers related to the human papillomavirus (HPV) in women from eight Latin American countries.MethodsA prospective, relational, and analytical study was conducted from July to August 2024 in women from eight Latin American countries: Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Spanish‐speaking adult women who had a history of having undergone cervicovaginal cytology were included. An online survey of 34 items was designed that evaluated the different barriers to HPV medical care.ResultsOverall, 1930 women were surveyed. There is a lack of education on issues related to sexual and reproductive health, as 57.3% of the participants considered HPV infection to be a sexually transmitted disease. A correlation was observed between a higher level of education and the acceptability of vaccination, as well as the taking of screening tests. It was found that 39.1% were vaccinated, which reflects the lack of resources in hospitals, where the vaccine is not available to all women, a similar situation to the screening test.ConclusionThere are still many barriers to HPV medical care due to the cultural roots that exist in the region. It is important to identify them and create strategies that allow equality and accessible medical care for all women, in order to eradicate cervical cancer, which is one of the great pending issues on the gynecologist's agenda.