Acculturation Strategies and Pap Screening Uptake among Sub-Saharan African Immigrants (SAIs)

Although regular cervical cancer screening can prevent cervical cancer, screening utilization remains low among immigrant population including sub-Saharan African immigrants (SAIs). Acculturation is a complex process, which can lead to adoption of positive or negative health behaviors from the dominant culture. Acculturation strategies are the varying ways in which individuals seek to go about their acculturation by either maintaining or rejecting their own cultural values ip or accepting or rejecting the host culture’s cultural values. Cervical cancer screening behaviors among SAI women may be influenced by their acculturation strategies. We conducted a secondary analysis of data to examine the relationship between acculturation strategies and Pap screening among 99 SAI women recruited from community settings. Data were collected on Pap screening behavior and acculturation strategy. Traditionalists and Integrationists were the dominant acculturation strategies; 32.3% women were Traditionalists and 67.7% Integrationists. From the logistic regression models, Integrationists had seven times the odds of having ever been screened compared to Traditionalists (OR = 7.08, 95% CI = 1.54–28.91). Cervical cancer screening interventions should prioritize Traditionalists for cancer screening. Acculturation strategies may be used to tailor cancer prevention and control for SAIs. More research among a larger SAI women sample is warranted to further our understanding of Pap screening patterns and acculturation strategies.

Comparing effectiveness of COBAS HPV test with VIA/VILI, pap smear and colposcopy for screening of cancer cervix

Cancer cervix is the second leading cancer causing 21% of all cancer deaths. Cervical cancer can be prevented if detected by premalignant changes and is curable in its earliest stage. Various procedures including VIA/VILI, pap smear have been routinely used for the purpose of screening cervical cancers. Infection with Human Papilloma virus is the principal cause of cancer cervix. Roche COBAS HPV test was approved by US FDA on April 24, 2014 as one of the first line primary screening method for cancer cervix based on the presence of high risk HPV DNA. The FOGSI guidelines in January 2018 has suggested cobas HPV test for cancer cervix screening. This study was conducted on 100 women with high risk cervical lesions during the period of 18 months. Women attending the NCD clinic of Government Thoothukudi Medical college hospital were taken for the study. The women were to undergo VIA/VILI, Pap smear study and subjected to COBAS HR HPV Test after their consent. Cervical specimens collected in PreservCyt solution using an endocervical brush/ spatula or collected in SurePath preservative fluid using a cervical broom were sent for COBAS HR HPV test. Collected sample kits were recruited in Department of Radiation oncology, Government Thoothukudi medical college for storage at low temperature for a short period, after pooling of samples, these were sent through the Department of radiation oncology to Adayar cancer institute, Chennai, with which the department has treated with for COBAS HPV test. The results were analysed and proceeded.This study has proven that screening for high risk HPV test in cervical specimen can easily pickup the premalignant lesion with high sensitivity, specificity when compared with other screening tests. Hence, this study emphasizes the importance of implementing HPV tests that can provide a 3-year screening free interval, compared to yearly pap screening. The other advantage is that the results are available immediately reducing the frequency of visits to hospital for further follow up on colposcopy/biopsy.

Cervical Pap smear study and its utility in cancer screening in patients attending out-patient department in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the major causes of mortality among women worldwide. By simple pap screening test cervical cancer and its precursor lesions can be detected and treated early. The aim of the study was to determine and analyze Pap smear reports from women presenting with various gynaecological indications in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Rama Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Hapur over a period of 6 months. Patients with various complaints between ages 21 to 70 years were screened during August 2020 to January 2021 by taking Pap smear using Ayres spatula. Total 330 patients were studied. Slides were reported according to the 2014 Bethesda system.Results: Maximum number of cases were in the age group 31-40 years constituting 32.72% of the total cases followed by age group 41-50 years. Vaginal discharge was the commonest chief complaint seen in 32.12% cases followed by menorrhagia. Maximum number of cases reported as non-specific inflammatory smears (64.54%). Among epithelial cell abnormalities incidence of LSIL was 2.42% followed by ASCUS (1.82%).Conclusions: Pap smear testing is an economical, non-invasive and simple OPD procedure to detect potentially precancerous and cancerous lesions of cervix. It should be established as a routine screening procedure to reduce the treatment burden, morbidity and mortality.

Knowledge and intentions regarding the Pap smear test among Saudi Arabian women

Background The knowledge of Pap smear and uptake of preventive behaviors to prevent cervical cancer are the most important contributors to the advanced stage of the disease. Knowledge is one of the most leading factors to predict the health behaviors and a helpful factor in performing screening procedures. This study aimed to investigate Saudi Arabian women knowledge of Pap testing in relation to their intention to undergo the test. Methods An online survey including demographic characteristics (3 questions), knowledge (13 questions), and intentions (3 questions) towards Pap smear was completed by 467 Saudi Arabian women. Data were analyzed through SPSS version 22, using descriptive statistics and correlation to measure the relationship between knowledge, demographic factors, and intention. Results The study found that average level of knowledge was 1.3 which is between high and moderate knowledge, and the average score for the intention was 2.88, to indicate that the intentions to uptake Pap smear among the participants were above the average. The study revealed a significant correlation between demographic factors and intention (p<0.01). Conclusion Findings from the current study can inform health care providers about Saudi Arabian women knowledge of Pap smear and the intention to uptake the test. Strategies to motivate women to undergo Pap screening should be introduced.

Trauma and cervical cancer screening among women experiencing homelessness: A call for trauma-informed care

Objective: Women experiencing homelessness are at increased risk of cervical cancer and have disproportionately low Pap screening behaviors compared to the general population. Prevalence of Pap refusals and multiple kinds of trauma, specifically sexual trauma, are high among homeless women. This qualitative study explored how trauma affects Pap screening experiences, behaviors, and provider practices in the context of homelessness. Methods: We conducted 29 in-depth interviews with patients and providers from multiple sites of a Federally Qualified Health Center as part of a study on barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer screening among urban women experiencing homelessness. The Health Belief Model and trauma-informed frameworks guided the analysis. Results: Trauma histories were common among the 18 patients we interviewed. Many women also had strong physical and psychological reactions to screening, which influenced current behaviors and future intentions. Although most women had screened at least once in their lifetime, many patients experienced anticipated anxiety and retraumatization which pushed them to delay or refuse Paps. We recruited 11 providers who identified strategies they used to encourage screening, including emphasizing safety and shared decision-making before and during the exam, building strong patient–provider trust and communication, and individually tailoring education and counseling to patients’ needs. We outlined suggestions and implications from these findings as trauma-informed cervical cancer screening. Conclusion: Discomfort with Pap screening was common among women experiencing homelessness, especially those with histories of sexual trauma. Applying a trauma-informed approach to cervical cancer screening may help address complex barriers among women experiencing homelessness, with histories of sexual trauma, or others who avoid, delay, or refuse the exam.

Comparisons of Papanicolaou Utilization and Cervical Cancer Detection between Rural and Urban Women in Taiwan

Using the claims data of one million insured residents in Taiwan from 1996–2013, this study identified 12,126 women in an urban city (Taichung) and 7229 women in a rural county (Yunlin), aged 20 and above. We compared Papanicolaou (Pap) test uses and cervical cancer detection rates between urban and rural women. Results showed that the Pap screening rate was slightly higher in rural women than in urban women (86.1 vs. 81.3 percent). The cervical cancer incidence was much greater for women without Pap test than women with the test (35.8 vs. 9.00 per 1000 in rural women and 20.3 vs. 7.00 per 1000 in urban women). Nested case-control analysis showed that Pap test receivers had an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.35 (95% CI = 0.25–0.51) to be diagnosed with cervical cancer as compared to those who did not receive the test. The rural women had an adjusted OR of 1.46 (95% CI = 1.03–2.06) to be diagnosed with cervical cancer as compared to urban women. In conclusion, women in rural area are at higher cancer risk than city women. Women who do not undergo Pap tests deserve timely intervention of Pap test to prevent the onset of cancer, particularly in rural women with low income.

Knowledge and Intentions Regarding the Pap Smear Test Among Saudi Arabian Women

BackgroundThe knowledge of Pap smear and uptake of preventive behaviors to prevent cervical cancer are the most important contributors to the advanced stage of the disease. Knowledge is one of the most leading factors to predict the health behaviors and a helpful factor in performing screening procedures. This study aimed to investigate Saudi Arabian women knowledge of Pap testing in relation to their intention to undergo the test. MethodsAn online cross-sectional study was conducted among 467 Saudi Arabian women, who aged 18 years and older, living in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The participants asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire including three parts (demographic factors, knowledge about Pap smear, and intentions to uptake Pap smear). Data were analyzed through SPSS version 22, using descriptive statistics and correlation to measure the relationship between knowledge, demographic factors and intention. ResultsThe study found that average level of knowledge was 1.3 which is between high and moderate knowledge, and the average score for the intention was 2.88, to indicate that the intentions to uptake Pap smear among the participants were above the average. The study revealed a significant correlation between demographic factors and intention. ConclusionFindings from the current study can inform health care providers about Saudi Arabian women knowledge of Pap smear and the intention to uptake the test. Strategies to motivate women to undergo Pap screening should be introduced.

Study of Trichomonas Vaginalis and Bacterial Vaginosis in Pap smear at a Tertiary Health Care Centre of Nepal

Cervical-vaginal infections are common problems in women of reproductive age presented with clinical features like white vaginal discharge, foul smelling odor and pruritis. Trichomonas vaginalis, Candidia and Gardnerella vaginalis are responsible for infectious vaginitis in creating anaerobic environment favoring Bacterial vaginosis caused by organisms like Gardnerella vaginalis, Chlamydia Trachomatis. Papanicolaou (Pap) smear examination is the simple, quick, painless routine screening test used for identification and detection of precancerous changes of uterine cervix as well as the cervico-vaginal infections resulting from bacterial, fungal and candida infections. The prime objective of the study was to identify the age wise distribution of cervical-vaginal infections and determine the frequency of Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and Bacterial vaginosis (BV). A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Pathology, Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu. A total of 163 cases of TV and BV diagnosed on Pap smear were taken for the study. However, 564 Pap smears were received in the Department of Pathology for cytological evaluation during the study period. Once the smears were stained, the presence of clue cells, cannon balls and Trichomonas were observed. Out of 564 Pap smears received during the study period, 163 cases were of BV, TV and combined BV and TV. These 163 cases were included in our study. The age ranged from 20 to 65 years with majority (19.1%) of the women belonging to 35-39 years and the mean age was 38.18 ± 10.18 years. There were 97 cases (17.2%) of BV, 50 cases (8.9%) of TV and 16 cases (2.8%) of TV and BV co-infection. Bacterial vaginosis was the most predominant type of cervicovaginal infection followed by TV infection and TV and BV co-infections. Trichomonas vaginalis may create an environment favoring the development of BV. Pap screening could be the beneficial tool in early disease diagnosis and helps in preventing further complications by starting appropriate treatment.

Contribution of family history of gynecologic cancers to associated risk-factors and screening: Analysis of an Internet-based risk assessment tool.

e13605 Background: Well-established risk-factors exist for gynecologic cancers (GC): estrogen exposure increases risk of endometrial cancer (EC); HPV infection and smoking are associated with cervical cancer (CC); oral contraceptive (OCP) use may be associated with an increased risk of CC but a reduced risk of EC and ovarian cancer (OC). Women with a family history (FH) of cancer are more likely to receive regular CC screening, but the association between FH of GC and other risk factors has not been investigated. Methods: Reduce My Risk is an Internet tool created in 2009 to provide personalized information regarding cancer risk, available at OncoLink.org. Voluntary participants were asked about risk factors and risk-associated behaviors. Differences between female respondents with v. without FH of GC were analyzed using chi-square test. Results: Among 16,878 female respondents, 841 (5.0%) had FH of CC, 345 (2.0%) EC, 1,117 (6.6%) OC, and 92 (0.5%) vulvar/vaginal (VC) cancer. Those with FH of any GC showed no difference in alcohol consumption compared to those without FH. Those with FH of CC, EC, OC, and VC were more likely to be obese (34.1% v. 24.7%; 37.2% v. 24.9%; 31.4% v. 24.7%, 43.7% v. 25%, p < 0.001 for all). Those with FH of CC were more likely to have first sexual intercourse before age 18 (69.2% v. 57.8%, p < 0.001) and to have > 10 sexual partners (24.0% v. 16.7%, p < 0.001). This group was also more likely to be current smokers (19.3% v. 11.7%, p < 0.001), and to smoke > 1 pack/day (6.5% v. 2.8%, p < 0.001). They were more likely to receive regular CC screening (91.2% v. 86.8%, p = 0.09), though the difference was not statistically significant. Women < 35 y with a FH of CC showed no differences in HPV vaccination rate (37.0% v. 39.3%, p = 0.29). Those with FH of EC were more likely to have menarche before age 12 (39.3% v. 32.0%, p = 0.005), and to have taken post-menopausal HRT for ≥2 y (77.6% vs. 66.8%, p < 0.001). Those with FH of EC, and OC were more likely to have taken OCPs (77.6% v. 66.8%; 71.9% v. 66.7%, p < 0.001 for both). Conclusions: Many with a FH of GC have increased likelihood of both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that are associated with the development of cancer. FH of CC did not increase likelihood of regular screening or HPV vaccination, but was associated with smoking, early intercourse, and multiple sexual partners. Future work should explore targeted intervention for those with FH of GC as a teachable opportunity for the benefits of weight reduction, smoking cessation, pap screening, and HPV vaccination.