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

Abstract #66795

Holly Rayko, MA¹, Ellen M. Daley, PhD, MPH², Sandra F. Naoom, MSPH(C)², Robert J McDermott, PhD, FAAHB³, Karen M. Perrin, PhD, MPH, RN⁴, Mary McFarlane, PhD⁵, and Jennifer Lee Packing-Ebuen, MA⁶. (1) USF Student Health Services, 4202 East Fowler Ave., SHS 100, Tampa, FL 33620, 813-974-4936, hrayko@shs.usf.edu, (2) College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, (3) Department of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, (4) Dept of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC-56, Tampa, FL 33612, (5) Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-44, Atlanta, GA 30333, (6) Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, 8068 N. 56th St., Tampa, FL 33617

Background: Humanpapilloma Virus (HPV) is one of the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the U.S., yet many women are unaware of its presence until HPV DNA testing reveals infection. Purpose: This study assessed the social and emotional impact of an HPV-related diagnosis on selected adult women with no previous history of cervical cancer or HPV. Methods: Data were collected from 1146 women 18 years of age or older at the time of their annual gynecological exam at a collegiate student health service or one of two Planned Parenthood clinics in Florida. Using the ThinPrep Pap test and HPV DNA Hybrid Capture II, women with a ThinPrep result of ASCUS or higher, along with positive low, intermediate/high, or mixed HPV DNA results participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews (n=50). Results: Contrary to investigator expectations, participants consistently reported informing current sex partners and family members about their HPV diagnosis. These women also reported feeling supported by their partners and family members. They also indicated the need for information to assist their male partners with any concerns they had related to being tested for infection, and future implications the virus' presence may have for them. Conclusions: Women with HPV may be more likely than commonly believed to tell their partners and other people about their diagnosis. In addition, they report their partners to be both understanding and supportive. The lack of HPV testing among men leaves them with some unresolved issues and unanswered questions about HPV and their own future risk.

Learning Objectives:

• At the completion of this session, participants will be able to:
• 1. Identify HPV as the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., as well as its role in progression to cervical cancer.
• 2. Describe why commonly held beliefs regarding women's reluctance to share information regarding diagnosis of HPV with others have been based upon factors such as social stigma and embarrassment.
• 3. Discuss the findings that reveal how sharing this information with others has provided these subjects with support and greater ease with the diagnosis.

Keywords: Partnerships, STD

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.