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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Knowledge and acceptability of Pap smears, self-sampling and HPV vaccination among adult women in Kenya
PLoS ONE, Volume 7, No. 7, Article e40766, Year 2012
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Description
Objectives: Our study aimed to assess adult women's knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, and characterize their attitudes towards potential screening and prevention strategies. Methods: Women were participants of an HIV-discordant couples cohort in Nairobi, Kenya. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on sociodemographic status, and sexual and medical history at baseline and on knowledge and attitudes towards Pap smears, self-sampling, and HPV vaccination at study exit. Results: Only 14% of the 409 women (67% HIV-positive; median age 29 years) had ever had a Pap smear prior to study enrollment and very few women had ever heard of HPV (18%). Although most women knew that Pap smears detect cervical cancer (69%), very few knew that routine Pap screening is the main way to prevent ICC (18%). Most women reported a high level of cultural acceptability for Pap smear screening and a low level of physical discomfort during Pap smear collection. In addition, over 80% of women reported that they would feel comfortable using a self-sampling device (82%) and would prefer at-home sample collection (84%). Nearly all women (94%) reported willingness to be vaccinated to prevent cervical cancer if offered at no or low cost. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need to educate women on routine use of Pap smears in the prevention of cervical cancer and demonstrate that vaccination and self-sampling would be acceptable modalities for cervical cancer prevention and screening. © 2012 Rositch et al.
Authors & Co-Authors
Rositch, Anne F.
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Gatuguta, Ann
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenyatta University
Choi, Robert Y.
United States, Seattle
University of Washington
Guthrie, Brandon L.
United States, Seattle
University of Washington
MacKelprang, Romel D.
United States, Seattle
University of Washington
Bosire, Rose Kerubo
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Manyara, Lucy
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Training College
Kiarie, James Njogu
Kenya, Nairobi
University of Nairobi
Smith, Jennifer Susan
United States, Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Farquhar, Carey
United States, Seattle
University of Washington
Statistics
Citations: 106
Authors: 10
Affiliations: 7
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.pone.0040766
e-ISSN:
19326203
Research Areas
Cancer
Infectious Diseases
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Design
Cohort Study
Study Locations
Kenya
Participants Gender
Female