Human Papillomavirus Knowledge and Attitude among Homeless Women of New York City Shelters

Mean age was 44.7 ± 12.16 years. The majority were Black, heterosexual, and single; 50.6% were smokers. Almost all HPV knowledge and attitudes data were considerably below the national averages; 41.9% never heard of HPV. Only 36.5% knew that HPV is a sexually transmitted disease; 41.5% knew that HPV causes cervical cancer; and only 19.5% and 17.3% received provider counseling regarding HPV testing and vaccine, respectively. 

Among participants, 65.4% reported that they would vaccinate their eligible daughters for HPV. Lower rates of up-to-date Pap tests were associated with a lack of knowledge regarding relationship between HPV and abnormal Pap test.

We recommend improved HPV counseling by providers during any clinical encounter to reduce missed opportunities, coupled with employing patient teaching coach or navigators to improve health literacy and to connect patients to services regarding HPV and cervical cancer.

Via: http://ht.ly/SaS0S 

By: Asgary R1, Alcabes A2, Feldman R3, Garland V2, Naderi R4, Ogedegbe G5, Sckell B2.

• 1Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.
• 2Community Medicine Program, NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers, New York, New York.
• 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• 4Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.
• 5Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.