The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #45082

Stephanie Roahen Harrison, MPH¹, Joelie Brinkman, MS², Thao Le, BS³, and Michael Hagensee, MD, PhD³. (1) Epidemiology Department, Tulane School of Public Health, 1440 Canal Street, 20th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-891-1154, sroahen@hotmail.com, (2) Microbiology Department, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1901 Perdido Street, P61, New Orleans, LA 70112, (3) Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Disease, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1901 Perdido Street, P61, New Orleans, LA 70112

Purpose: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Louisiana has the 10th highest rate of cervical cancer incidence in the country, and the 4th highest rate of cervical cancer mortality. There is great variation in these rates throughout the state. The hypotheses for these differences are: (1) variation in access to health care, (2) variation in HPV prevalence, and 3) variation in high-risk HPV genotypes. In this study we will determine and compare the prevalence of HPV and its risk factors in Louisiana in order to investigate these hypotheses.

Methods: Participants are being recruited from four public health clinics. Women over the age of 18 attending the clinic for a Pap exam with a history of either normal or indeterminate (ASCUS) Pap results are eligible for recruitment. A survey regarding risk factors for HPV is administered. Cervical and urine specimens are collected and HPV is detected using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction).

Results: To date, 120 participants have been recruited from New Orleans and 5 from Baton Rouge. Of 86 cervical specimens tested, 19 (22.1%) were positive for HPV; 17 (89.5%) had high-risk types, 6 (31.6%) had low-risk types and 5 (26.3%) had multiple types. Of HPV-positive women, 3 (15.8%) had an abnormal Pap result and of HPV-negative women 8 (12.5%) had an abnormal Pap result.

Conclusions: HPV prevalence of 22.1% is consistent with current literature. Recruitment for this study will continue and the association between risk factors, HPV, and cervical cancer will be examined.

Learning Objectives:

• 1 - Define the role of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of cervical cancer.
• 2 - Articulate hypotheses for variation in prevalence of abnormal Pap results, cervical cancer incidence and cervical cancer mortality.
• 3 - Describe DNA detection as a new method of detecting HPV.
• 4 - Explain how DNA detection can improve care for women with indeterminate Pap results.

Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Epidemiology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.