Family & Community Health

Intervention to Reduce Stigma and Improve Knowledge of HPV and Cervical Cancer in Nigeria

We compared the effectiveness of an educational intervention at reducing stigma and improving knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer among Nigerian men and women. We used a pre-/posttest design to deliver 2 educational interventions to 266 adults. Low knowledge was observed at baseline, which improved significantly post-intervention with no difference between groups. No significant changes were observed between groups in 5 out the 6 stigma domains. Health education was effective in improving knowledge. However, the lack of positive change in stigma shows urgent need for HPV and cervical cancer stigma reduction interventions.

Perceived Barriers and Facilitators in Accessing Cervical Cancer Screening

Although advancements in cervical cancer prevention have helped reduce the incidence, mortality, and prevalence, access to these preventive services has not been experienced equally by all women in the United States. The purpose of this study was to learn about the factors that affect access to preventive services in a low-income, primarily Black community. Using a community-based participatory research approach, women were recruited to participate in 7 focus groups, with 6 to 8 women per group (N = 45). Participants were mainly Black (64%), with a mean age of 46 years, and 60% reporting completing at least some college. The discussions were transcribed, and text data were organized using Dedoose software. Guided by qualitative content analysis, the data were analyzed through an iterative process of coding and condensing the codes into themes. Ten types of barriers and 11 facilitators relating to cervical cancer screening access were identified and grouped into 7 themes. Participants provided suggestions for promoting cervical cancer screening in their community. On the basis of the findings of the data, the researchers conceptualized and mapped culturally and geographically appropriate interventions to promote cervical cancer screening within the community of interest.

Does Neighborhood Social Cohesion Influence Participation in Routine Cancer Screening? Findings From a Representative Sample of Adults in South Florida

Background and Objectives: Neighborhood social cohesion (NSC) has been associated with a variety of health outcomes, but limited research has examined its impact on behaviors that support cancer control. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between NSC and guideline-concordant breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening. Methods: Data are from a cross-sectional survey administered to 716 adults in South Florida from 2019 to 2020. The analytic samples included adults eligible for breast (n = 134), cervical (n = 195), and colorectal cancer (n = 265) screening. NSC was measured using a validated 5-item instrument. Associations between NSC and guideline-concordant screening were examined using multivariable logistic regression. Results: In fully adjusted analyses, the odds of guideline-concordant breast cancer screening increased by 86% for every unit increase in NSC (aOR = 1.86; 95% CI, 1.03-3.36). NSC was not statistically significantly associated with guideline-concordant cervical cancer screening (aOR = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.54-1.38) or colorectal cancer screening (aOR = 1.29; 95% CI, 0.81-2.04). Conclusions: These findings suggest that NSC supports some screening behaviors, namely, mammography use. To better understand heterogeneous relationships between NSC and utilization of preventive care services such as cancer screening, more research is needed that disaggregates effects by sex, age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.