The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66701

Sandra F. Naoom, MSPH(C), Department of Community and Family Health College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, (813)974-4176, snaoom@hsc.usf.edu, Ellen M. Daley, PhD, MPH, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, Robert J McDermott, PhD, FAAHB, Department of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, Mary McFarlane, PhD, Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-44, Atlanta, GA 30333, Karen M. Perrin, PhD, MPH, RN, Dept of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC-56, Tampa, FL 33612, Holly Rayko, MA, USF Student Health Services, 4202 East Fowler Ave., SHS 100, Tampa, FL 33620, and Jennifer Lee Packing-Ebuen, MA, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, 8068 N. 56th St., Tampa, FL 33617.

Background: According to the 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 45.6% of high school students have had sexual intercourse at least once, and 42.1% of sexually active students report not using a condom during their last intercourse. Moreover, 14.2% report four or more lifetime sex partners, and 6.6% report initiating intercourse by age 13. The humanpapilloma virus (HPV) may be the most commonly occurring sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the U.S., and some HPV strains are linked to cancer of the cervix. Early onset of sexual activity and a history of multiple sex partners place women at a statistically elevated risk for cervical cancer. Purpose: As part of a study to assess the social and emotional impact of an HPV diagnosis on women, we examined HPV knowledge among recently diagnosed HPV+ women. Methods: We conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews (n=50) focusing on HPV knowledge, emotional response to diagnosis, partner disclosure, and previous and anticipated future sexual behaviors. Interviews were tape recorded and transcribed. Theme analyses of the transcripts were performed by multiple coders and key content was extracted. Results: Most women lacked HPV knowledge and few reported learning about HPV as a result of school-based sex education. Formal mechanisms to learn about STIs were rare. Conclusions: Including relevant content in school-based sex education may alert youth to HPV prior to initiating sexual activity, and thereby, reduce occurrence of HPV, and in turn, cervical cancer cases. Significant educational issues focusing on adolescents abound and an exploration of mechanisms to improve knowledge is warranted.

Learning Objectives:

• At the completion of this session, participants will be able to:
• 1. Identify the role of early sexual activity and having multiple sexual partners in becoming infected with HPV.
• 2. Describe how lack of information regarding early onset of sexual activity as well as risk of STIs can contribute to higher rates of cervical cancer.
• 3. Understand the importance of relevant content in school-based sex education curriculum including information about STIs as a preventive factor against infection with HPV.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, STD Prevention

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.