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Knowledge, Behavioral, and Sociocultural Factors Related to Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Inner-City Women in Panama

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Abstract

Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of mortality in developing countries regardless of biomedical advances in prevention modalities. Specifically, Panama experiences one of the highest rates of cervical cancer worldwide. The objective of this study was to explore knowledge, behavioral, and sociocultural factors related to cervical cancer prevention among Panamanian women. A theory-guided, population-based quantitative survey following participatory processes was administered to a randomized sample of females (18–44 years) residing in a high-risk Panamanian community. Participants (n = 324) reported low knowledge regarding HPV, cervical cancer, and the purpose of the Pap test. Furthermore, low perceived susceptibility, high-risk sexual behaviors (e.g., low contraception and condom use) and adverse attitudes toward the Pap test (e.g., shame, fear) were identified. Television, newspapers/magazines, and relatives/friends/neighbors were common sources to receive health information. Significant gaps in knowledge and behavioral factors were identified, which may interfere with cervical cancer prevention efforts. Future strategies should reflect the sociocultural context, such as interpersonal relations, when developing and implementing cervical cancer programs, with the ultimate goal of decreasing the persistent burden among Latin American women.

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Acknowledgments

Eternal gratitude to the substantial guidance provided by Jill De Zapien from University of Arizona. Researchers would like to thank the numerous community men and women from San Miguelito in Panama that made this study possible and opened us the doors of their homes. The study was funded through a National Institutes of Health, Fogarty Center Grant (NIH# 1 R03 TW007662-01).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC56, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    Cheryl A. Vamos, Arlene E. Calvo, Ellen M. Daley & Humberto López Castillo

  2. Center for Infection Research in Cancer, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA

    Anna R. Giuliano

Authors
  1. Cheryl A. Vamos
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  2. Arlene E. Calvo
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  3. Ellen M. Daley
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  4. Anna R. Giuliano
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  5. Humberto López Castillo
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Correspondence to Cheryl A. Vamos.

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Vamos, C.A., Calvo, A.E., Daley, E.M. et al. Knowledge, Behavioral, and Sociocultural Factors Related to Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Inner-City Women in Panama. J Community Health 40, 1047–1056 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-015-0030-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-015-0030-4

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