Food security, produce intake/behaviors, and cervical health of adult women living in rural Appalachia: a pilot study (805.16)

Abstract

Background Low household food security (HFS) and high cervical cancer rates have been reported in Appalachian Ohio. High antioxidant intake may reduce the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and progression to cervical cancer.Study Objective To examine interrelationship of HFS, produce intake/ behaviors, and cervical health in adult women living in rural Appalachia.Method Survey of females 蠅 21 years [USDA HFS module, produce intake and behavior‐related instrument, and Risky Sexual Behavior (RSB) Index questionnaire]. Clinical HPV results were obtained.Results Participants (n=153) [HPV‐negative, n=139 (91.4%); HPV‐positive, n=13 (8.6%)] were 29.4±7.8 years. For HFS, 113 (75.3%) had high and 37 (24.7%) had marginal, low, or very low HFS. Statistically significant test results showed food insecure group had a higher RSB scores compared to their counterparts (p<0.001). RSB scores were statistically significantly higher in HPV‐positive group than HPV‐negative group (p=0.021). Test statistics provided a significant difference between food secure and food insecure groups in median perceived diet quality scores 78.68 and 59.57 respectively, p=0.014.Conclusion Food insecurity was associated with high RSB score and low perceived diet quality. Further studies are required.