
Cervical Cancer Knowledge as a Predictor of Latent Class Membership among African American and Hispanic Young Adult College Women
Background:Multiple studies have shown that African-American and Hispanic women have limited and inadequate knowledge about cervical cancer (CC) and CC screening, which contributes to morbidity and mortality disparities. Access to knowledge, education, and other socio-political
factors are social determinants of health that serve to shape individual health behavior knowledge. Better CC knowledge has been shown to increase screening uptake. Methods:In the present study, we specified unique subgroups regarding CC prevention behaviors in a sample of African-American
and Hispanic women (N = 328) recruited from a minority-serving higher education institution. Results:Latent class analysis identified 3 unique salient subgroups based on the indicators: CC Screening Adherers and Vaccinators (14%), CC Screening Adherers (48%), and CC Prevention Non-adherers (38%). We found probable variations within the classes regarding screening behavior, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination status, and race/ethnicity. Women reporting higher guideline knowledge were 11 times more likely to be classified as CC Screening Adherers
and Vaccinators than CC Prevention Non-adherers. Additionally, women who specifically understood that HPV causes cervical cancer were 16 and 9 times more likely to be classified as CC Screening Adherers and Vaccinators and CC Screening Adherers than to be classified
as CC Prevention Non-adherers. Conclusion: Addressing cervical cancer knowledge remains an important intervention strategy in these populations to increase CC screening uptake.
Keywords: CERVICAL CANCER; HEALTH DISPARITY; HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS; MINORITY HEALTH; REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH; SCREENING COMPLIANCE
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: 1: HEALTH Research Institute, Psychological Health and Learning Sciences Department, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States 2: Health and Behavioral Science, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Houston-Downtown, Houston, TX, United States
Publication date: January 1, 2022
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