Disparities in HPV and Cervical Cancer Screening Between Highly Educated White and Minority Young Women

Abstract

Background: Research has been conducted to determine the impact that education has on health behaviors; specifically, comparisons between highly educated and less educated groups. However, little research has been done on the racial variation among highly educated women. Purpose: This research examined the racial variation in the relationship between educational status and cervical cancer screening as well as analyze the effect that awareness of human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer has on cervical cancer screening. Methods: Ordinary least squares regression was used to examine the impact that measures of awareness have on cervical cancer screening. Results: This study demonstrates that the effect education has on health awareness is not equal across racial/ethnic lines. In addition, this study shows that women of color had greater time lapses since their last cervical cancer screening but that race and awareness are not fully capable of explaining the variation of preventative screening practices among highly educated women. Discussion These findings indicate that for highly educated women of color, the relationship between education and awareness is not as strong as it is for highly educated white women. Translation to Health Education Practice: Extra efforts need to be made to educate all young women, and particularly young women of color, about HPV and cervical cancer.