Abstract PO-246: Correlates of HPV test history among African American and Sub-Saharan African immigrant women

Abstract

Abstract Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the causative agent in nearly all cases of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable if detected early through regular screening. While Pap testing is a traditionally accepted screening option, HPV testing offers improved assurance of low cancer risk and reliable identification of cervical precancer and cancer. However, HPV testing is a relatively new testing option and remains underused. Black women, including Sub-Saharan African immigrants, have higher risk for cervical cancer incidence, mortality rates, and later stage of diagnosis for cervical cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine predictors of ever having had an HPV test among African American and Sub-Saharan African immigrant women. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional 85-item survey with self-described African American or Sub-Saharan African immigrant women recruited from the community in a medium size city in the Southeastern US. Data included demographics, HPV and HPV testing knowledge, and HPV testing history. Logistic regression evaluated predictors of ever having had an HPV test. Results: The average age of the 91 women was 38.2 years (SD = 12.6) and almost two-thirds (65%) were African immigrants. The majority (84%) had ever had a Pap test and more than one-third (36%) had ever had a HPV test. Women were correct on less than half of the HPV knowledge 16-item scale (M = 7.1, SD = 4.7) and HPV testing knowledge was low, with women answering an average of less than two out of five items correctly (M = 1.8, SD = 1.5). Younger age (p=.004), higher education (p=.015), and higher HPV testing knowledge (p=.007) were significant predictors of having had an HPV test. Every one-year increase in age was associated with a 7% decrease in having had an HPV test (OR=.93, 95% CI = 0.88-0.98), while every one-level increase in education was associated with a 2-fold increase (OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.15-3.69). Every one-item increase in HPV testing knowledge was associated with an over two-fold increase in having had an HPV test (OR=2.1, 95% CI = 1.2-3.6). Conclusions: To ensure prompt diagnosis, follow up, and treatment, health care providers must stay abreast of updated screening guidelines and implement them. Future research should prioritize increasing knowledge and HPV testing among older women and those with lower educational attainment. c Citation Format: Adebola Adegboyega, Amanda Wiggins, Lovoria B. Williams, Mark Dignan. Correlates of HPV test history among African American and Sub-Saharan African immigrant women [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-246.