Variability of cervical cancer rates across 5 Appalachian states, 1998-2003

Comparative assessment of test characteristics of cervical cancer screening methods for implementation in low-resource settings

Cervical cancer disproportionately affects low-resource settings. Papanicolaou, human papillomavirus (HPV), and visual inspection of cervix with acetic acid (VIA) testing, each with different characteristics, will reduce cervical cancer burden. We conducted a critical literature review using PubMed, Cochrane, WHO, and grey literature from 1994 to 2020. We examined efficacy, harms, and comparative effectiveness of screening methods by age, human immunodeficiency virus, provider characteristics, and assessed implementation challenges in low-resource settings. Comprehensive data on utility and efficacy of screening tests indicates that each screening has strengths and shortcomings but all confer acceptable performance. HPV and VIA appear more promising. Primary HPV test-and-treat, self-testing, and co-testing have been studied but data on triage plans, cost, support system, implementation and sustainability is unclear in low-resource settings. HPV testing could help target subgroups of older or higher risk women. VIA offers local capacity-building and scalability. Quality VIA technique after HPV testing is still required to guide post-screening treatments. VIA competencies decline gradually with current standard trainings. Stationary cervicography improves VIA quality but isn't scalable. Affordable smartphones eliminate this barrier, enhance training through mentorship, and advance continuing education and peer-to-peer training. Smartphone-based VIA facilitates cervical image storage for patient education, health promotion, record-keeping, follow-up care, remote expert support, and quality control to improve VIA reliability and reproducibility and reduce mis-diagnoses and burden to health systems. Rather than ranking screening methods using test characteristics alone in study or higher-resource settings, we advocate for scalable strategies that maximize reliability and access and reduce cost and human resources.

Characterization of Uterine Cervix Cancers in Women from Appalachian Kentucky

Uterine cervix cancer (UCCx) is clinically and socioeconomically diverse among women in the United States (US), which obscures the discovery of effective radiochemotherapy approaches for this disease. UCCx afflicts 7.5 per 100,000 American women nationally but 11.7 per 100,000 women in Appalachian Kentucky (AppKY), when age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population. Epidemiological chart review was performed on 212 women with UCCx treated at the University of Kentucky (UKY) between January 2001 and July 2021. Demographics, tumor characteristics, and relative radiochemotherapy dose and schedule intensity were compared among AppKY and non-AppKY cohorts as well as Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data. One hundred thirty-eight (65%) of 212 women seeking radiochemotherapy treatment for UCCx resided in AppKY. Most (80%) sought external-beam radiochemotherapy close to their AppKY residence. Brachytherapy was then most frequently (96%) conducted at UKY. Cancer stage at diagnosis was significantly more advanced in AppKY residents. Women residing in AppKY had a median 10-week radiochemotherapy course, longer than an 8-week guideline. Estimated survival in women residing in AppKY was 8% lower than US national averages. In summary, this study identified an increased percentage of advanced-stage UCCx cancer at diagnosis arising in AppKY residents, with a confounding population-specific delay in radiochemotherapy schedule intensity lowering survival.

A Qualitative Study of Smoking-Related Causal Attributions and Risk Perceptions in Cervical Cancer Survivors

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of smoking among cervical cancer survivors typically exceeds what is found among women in the general population and other cancer survivors. Yet, there is a dearth of literature on risk and protective factors related to smoking among cervical cancer survivors, especially when it comes to identification of variables that are amendable to intervention. To help fill this gap in the literature, this qualitative study examines the nature of smoking-related causal attributions and risk perceptions in cervical cancer survivors who smoked at cancer diagnosis.

METHODS

Participants are 21 female cervical cancer survivors (M=45.7, SD=8.4 years old), all diagnosed in the past five years. Nearly three-quarters of participants reported smoking in the past month.

RESULTS

Smoking was not uniformly recognized as a cause of cervical cancer (whether in general or participants' own cancer); the link between smoking and lung, head-neck, and other cancers was more readily accepted. Despite generally weak endorsements of causal attributions, many participants reported smoking significantly increases risk for poor clinical (e.g., recurrence) and quality of life (e.g., pain) outcomes after cervical cancer diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest cervical cancer survivors may not fully understand or appreciate the role of smoking in cervical cancer risk whereas their beliefs about the role of smoking in cervical cancer prognosis are more well-formed. This study highlights the potential role of causal attributions and risk perceptions in understanding and addressing the smoking-related experience of cervical cancer survivors.

Community-Academic Partnerships: Approaches to Engagement

Current public health problems such as cancer have an expansive set of lifestyle and social circumstances that affect the cause and course of the disease. In response, over the past 7 years, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has recognized the important role that cancer centers play in their community and has gradually increased the requirements and stringency of these sections in the Cancer Center Support Grant guidelines to include a plan for community outreach and engagement. Developing sustainable community-academic partnerships is an essential factor for the successful dissemination and implementation of promising interventions and programs aimed at decreasing barriers and improving cancer outcomes. Understanding how best to facilitate linkages and collaboration can expedite translation of research knowledge into practice and allow more evidence-based improvements to be implemented into practice as well as influence research agendas. This article will examine several examples of successful community-academic partnerships focused on cancer prevention and control and explore lessons learned.

Psychosocial Correlates of Ever Having a Pap Test and Abnormal Pap Results in a Sample of Rural Appalachian Women

BACKGROUND

Despite known prevention and screening efforts, there are higher invasive cervical cancer rates in Appalachia than in other areas of the United States and higher mortality rates in the Appalachian region of Kentucky compared to Appalachian regions of other states.

PURPOSE

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the association of psychosocial factors relevant to cervical cancer and the outcome of ever having a Pap test in a rural sample of women. The secondary purpose was to determine whether any of the same psychosocial factors were also associated with ever having an abnormal Pap test result among women with a self-reported history of having one or more Pap tests in their lifetime.

METHODS

Data were collected in fall of 2013 from 393 women in 8 economically distressed counties of rural Appalachian Kentucky. Women completed an interviewer-administered survey assessing sociodemographic and health information as well as beliefs about cervical cancer.

FINDINGS

Multivariate logistic regression results indicated that low income and greater perceived local fatalism were significant predictors of never having a Pap test. Lack of personal control over prevention, and peer and family influences were significant predictors of ever having an abnormal Pap test result.

CONCLUSIONS

Educational efforts targeted in rural Appalachia would be supported by encouraging the benefits of early and consistent screening, altering the established norms of community fatalism and lack of personal control over prevention, and creating targeted messages through public campaigns that convince rural Appalachian women that cervical cancer is highly preventable and screenable.

Disparities in the Use of Diabetes Screening in Appalachia

PURPOSE

The Appalachian region presents disproportionately high rates of chronic disease compared to the rest of the United States. Early diagnosis of diabetes through screening is an important step in reducing diabetes complications. This study examines disparities in the use of diabetes screening in Appalachia.

METHODS

We analyzed 2009 and 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for 96,111 adults aged ≥45 years from 11 Appalachian states. Based on economic status, Appalachian counties were grouped into distressed (least affluent), at-risk, transitional, and competitive (most affluent). Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the statistical significance and effect size of factors associated with diabetes screening.

RESULTS

Competitive counties had the highest rate of diabetes screening (65.4%). At-risk counties had the lowest rate (60.3%), about 7.8% lower compared to competitive counties (P < .001). After adjusting for socioeconomic factors, differences in screening rates between county economic levels in Appalachia were not statistically significant. Among respondents ≥65 years, at-risk counties had an 8.1% lower screening rate compared to competitive counties; this difference was not adequately explained by differences in socioeconomic factors. Screening rates in distressed and transitional counties were not significantly different from competitive counties in unadjusted or adjusted models.

CONCLUSIONS

At-risk counties had significantly lower screening rates than competitive counties. They should receive more policy attention similar to that received by distressed counties. Social policies that improve socioeconomic status and educational attainment, and health policies that reduce barriers to access to care may reduce disparities in diabetes screening rates in the less affluent Appalachian counties.

Perspectives from health-care providers and women about completing human papillomavirus (HPV) self-testing at home

Cervical cancer (CC) incidence and mortality rates are increased, and CC screening rates are low among Appalachian Ohio women. Mailing human papillomavirus (HPV) self-tests to women to complete at home is a potential new strategy to engage women in CC screening. The authors aimed to gain insights into the perceived acceptability of mailed HPV self-tests. Focus groups were conducted (August 2014-January 2015) among providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses) and women in Appalachian Ohio. Providers (n = 28) and women (n = 15; age range: 32-62 years) reported general acceptance of HPV self-tests, however, for different reasons. Providers thought HPV self-testing would increase the proportion of under-screened women returning to the health-care system, while women thought self-testing would eliminate logistical and reduce psychological CC screening barriers. Findings provide insights into facilitators and barriers of completing an HPV self-test at home, returning it, reporting results, and providing needed follow-up care. To the authors' knowledge, no systematic research exists addressing providers' views regarding women's use of HPV self-tests and the relation of such use to fostering subsequent Pap testing. This information will be useful in developing CC screening programs that include mailed HPV self-tests, as well as encouragement of follow-up Pap testing to meet existing CC screening guidelines.

Using communication to manage uncertainty about cervical cancer screening guideline adherence among Appalachian women

Changes to the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for cervical cancer preventive services have led to patient confusion, especially in medically underserved populations. We investigated how patient uncertainty concerning cervical cancer screening guidelines is appraised and managed through communication with healthcare providers by conducting in-depth, face-to-face interviews with 24 adult women between the ages of 24 and 65 (m = 41, SD = 14) living in Appalachia Kentucky. In general, participants expressed a high degree of uncertainty about the updated cervical cancer screening guidelines and appraised this uncertainty as both a danger and an opportunity. Communication with healthcare providers served both to exacerbate and to mitigate patient uncertainty. The study identifies how health care providers may use the change in USPSTF guidelines as a 'teachable moment' to productively counsel patients on the importance of timely screening, the typical progression of certain types of high-risk HPV infection to cervical cancer, and the importance of follow-up care.

Variation in prostate cancer treatment associated with population density of the county of residence

BACKGROUND

We sought to assess variation in the primary treatment of prostate cancer by examining the effect of population density of the county of residence on treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer and quantify variation in primary treatment attributable to the county and state level.

METHODS

A total 138 226 men with clinically localized prostate cancer in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) database in 2005 through 2008 were analyzed. The main association of interest was between prostate cancer treatment and population density using multilevel hierarchical logit models while accounting for the random effects of counties nested within SEER regions. To quantify the effect of county and SEER region on individual treatment, the percent of total variance in treatment attributable to county of residence and SEER site was estimated with residual intraclass correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

Men with localized prostate cancer in metropolitan counties had 23% higher odds of being treated with surgery or radiation compared with men in rural counties, controlling for number of urologists per county as well as clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. Three percent (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-6.2%) of the total variation in treatment was attributable to SEER site, while 6% (95% CI: 4.3-9.0%) of variation was attributable to county of residence, adjusting for clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Variation in treatment for localized prostate cancer exists for men living in different population-dense counties of the country. These findings highlight the importance of comparative effectiveness research to improve understanding of this variation and lead to a reduction in unwarranted variation.

Adherence to Multiple Cancer Screening Tests among Women Living in Appalachia Ohio

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of information about the correlates of completing all three cancer screening tests among women living in Appalachia.

METHODS

Cross-sectional telephone interviews were conducted (April-September 2013) among women (n = 637) ages 51 to 75 years from 12 Appalachia Ohio counties. Outcomes of within screening guidelines were verified by medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models identified correlates of being within guidelines for all three cancer screening tests.

RESULTS

Screening rates included mammography (32.1%), Pap test (36.1%), and a colorectal cancer test (30.1%). Only 8.6% of women were within guidelines for all tests. Having had a check-up in the past 2 years and having received a screening recommendation were significantly related to being within guidelines for all three tests (P < 0.01). Participants with higher annual household incomes [$60,000+; OR, 3.53; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.49-8.33] and conditions requiring regular medical visits (OR, 3.16; 95% CI, 1.29-7.74) were more likely to be within guidelines for all three screening tests.

CONCLUSION

Less than 10% of women had completed screening within guidelines for all three screening tests. Regular contact with the health care system and higher incomes were significant predictors of being within guidelines.

IMPACT

Within guidelines rates for the three recommended cancer screening tests are low among women in Appalachia Ohio. This finding illustrates the need for innovative interventions to improve rates of multiple cancer screening tests.

Implementation and Evaluation of a School-Based Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Program in Rural Kentucky

INTRODUCTION

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates remain marginal across the U.S., including Kentucky, a state recognized for increased HPV-related cancer burden. School-based HPV immunization programs may be a viable approach to improving vaccination initiation and completion rates among youth. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to design, implement, and evaluate a school-based HPV vaccination program conducted in rural south-central Kentucky.

METHODS

Guided by evidence-based approaches to increasing immunization rates, the practical expertise of school nursing staff, and a detailed study protocol, academic and health department-based investigators implemented an HPV vaccination project in two high schools during the 2012-2013 academic year; data were analyzed in 2013-2014. Rates of returned parental consent forms, parental consent/declination, and HPV vaccination rates were documented.

RESULTS

At the beginning of the school year, all 935 students at the two schools were given HPV vaccination parental consent forms. Five hundred eleven students returned consent forms (55% return rate), and 447 of these students were HPV vaccine naïve (87%). Of these students, 315 (70%) initiated the vaccine series, with 276 (62%) completing the entire three-dose series, so that 88% of students initiating the vaccine series successfully completed the series. In estimating rates for the entire school body, 45% of students had received all three doses by the end of the project.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite study design limitations, results of this project provide further evidence about school-based immunization programs as an effective strategy for improving HPV vaccination rates among Kentucky and U.S. adolescents.

A Community-Academic Partnership to Increase Pap Testing in Appalachian Kentucky

INTRODUCTION

Appalachian Kentucky is recognized for elevated rates of cervical cancer, which exerts an undue burden in this medically underserved region. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an academic-community partnership, specifically a regional health department and a CDC Prevention Research Center, in conducting outreach aimed at improving Pap testing rates and examining barriers among under-screened women in Appalachian Kentucky. Differences between women with abnormal and negative results were also examined.

METHODS

The Prevention Research Center provided technical assistance to the district health department that, in turn, hosted "Women's Health Day" events at county health departments, providing incentives to women who had never had a Pap test or those who had not received one in at least 3 years to receive guideline-recommended screening.

RESULTS

From 2011 to 2014, 317 women were screened for cervical cancer; data were analyzed in 2014. The mean age was 42.1 (SD=13.6) years. More than half (54.5%) of the sample reported high school as their highest level of education, and 57.7% had an annual household income of <$25,000. The most commonly reported barriers to Pap testing were cost (28.4%) and lack of a perceived need for screening (25.6%). Approximately one in five (21.7%) women received abnormal Pap results.

CONCLUSIONS

As a result of this community-academic public health partnership and its shared resources, Appalachian Kentucky women received needed cervical cancer screening and appropriate follow-up for abnormal results, thereby increasing this population's compliance with guideline-recommended screening.

Urban and rural safety net health care system clinics: no disparity in HPV4 vaccine completion rates

OBJECTIVE

Safety net health care centers in the US serve vulnerable and underinsured females. The primary aim of this work was to determine if HPV4 dosing compliance differs between females who receive doses at rural vs. urban core safety net health care locations.

METHODS

Females exclusively receiving health care in the Truman Medical Center (TMC) safety net system at the urban core and rural locations were identified by their HPV4 vaccine records. Dates and number of HPV4 doses as well as age, gravidity, parity and race/ethnicity were recorded from the electronic medical record (EMR). Appropriate HPV4 dosing intervals were referenced from the literature.

RESULTS

1259 females, 10-26 years of age, received HPV4 vaccination at either the rural (23%) or urban core location (77%). At the rural location, 23% received three doses on time, equal to the 24% at the urban core. Females seen in the urban core were more likely to receive on-time doublet dosing than on-time triplet dosing (82% vs. 67%, p<0.001). Mistimed doses occurred equally often among females receiving only two doses, as well as those receiving three doses.

CONCLUSIONS

Compliance with on-time HPV4 triplet dose completion was low at rural and urban core safety net health clinics, but did not differ by location.

The HPV vaccine: a comparison of focus groups conducted in South Africa and Ohio Appalachia

Worldwide, cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among women. Even though women in developing countries account for approximately 85 % of the cervical cancer cases and deaths, disparities in cervical cancer rates are also documented in developed countries like the United States (U.S.). Recently, formative research conducted in the U.S. and developing countries like South Africa have sought to gain a better understanding of the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about cervical cancer prevention, HPV, and the acceptance of the HPV vaccine. This study compares findings from two independent focus group studies. One study was conducted in a segregated township in Johannesburg, South Africa (n = 24) and the other study was conducted in Ohio Appalachia (n = 19). The following seven themes emerged during the discussions from both studies: HPV and cervical cancer; health decision making; parent-child communication; healthy children; HPV vaccine costs; sexual abuse; and HPV vaccine education. Findings from both studies indicate the importance of the role of mothers and grandmothers in the health care decision-making process for children and a lack of awareness of HPV and its association with cervical cancer. While there was interest in the HPV vaccine, participants voiced concern about the vaccine's cost and side effects. Some participants expressed concern that receipt of the HPV vaccine may initiate adolescent sexual behavior. However, other participants suggested that the HPV vaccine may protect young women who may experience sexual abuse. The importance of developing culturally appropriate educational materials and programs about cervical cancer prevention and the HPV vaccine were expressed by participants in both countries.

Self-collecting a cervico-vaginal specimen for cervical cancer screening: an exploratory study of acceptability among medically underserved women in rural Appalachia

OBJECTIVE

Innovative screening methods such as self-testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) may alleviate barriers to cervical cancer screening. The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine whether Appalachian Kentucky women would be amenable to self-collecting a cervico-vaginal specimen for HPV testing.

METHODS

Women aged 30-64 who were overdue for guideline-recommended cervical cancer screening were recruited from a primary care clinic in southeastern Kentucky. The women were asked to self-collect a specimen, using a cervico-vaginal brush, based on verbal and printed directions provided by a research nurse. All study participants, regardless of laboratory-confirmed HPV status, received the same counseling on the importance of cervical cancer screening and offered navigation to follow-up Pap testing at the local health department.

RESULTS

Thirty-one women were approached and recruited to participate in the study, indicating a 100% acceptance rate of HPV self-testing. Of the 31 women, 26 tested negative for high-risk HPV and five tested positive. All of the women with negative results declined nurse navigation to Pap testing, whereas four of the five women with positive results accepted nurse navigation and received subsequent Pap smear screenings (all results were normal).

CONCLUSIONS

Among this sample of Appalachian Kentucky women, self-collecting a cervico-vaginal specimen for HPV testing was highly acceptable. This exploratory study provides impetus for larger studies among high-risk, medically underserved women in rural communities. Tailoring alternative cancer screening strategies to meet the complex needs of rural women is likely to lead to reductions in cervical cancer incidence and mortality among this vulnerable population.

Health care providers' perspectives on low HPV vaccine uptake and adherence in Appalachian Kentucky

OBJECTIVE

Previous intervention research conducted in Appalachian Kentucky resulted in extremely low uptake and adherence to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among women ages 18-26, despite provision of free vaccine. Because of these findings, the purpose of this qualitative, follow-up study was to elicit health care providers' perspectives on barriers and facilitators to HPV vaccination and suggested strategies for improving vaccination rates.

DESIGN AND SAMPLE

Researchers conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of eight health care providers (seven nursing professionals, one physician) at the health clinic where the original HPV vaccination intervention took place. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed and authors used a constant-comparative method to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Significant themes emerged from the interviews, centering around two primary issues: vaccine uptake and vaccine adherence. Related to uptake, health care providers identified perceived patient barriers and inadequate HPV vaccine education. They also identified the vaccine schedule and clinic-centered communication deficiencies as adherence-related barriers.

CONCLUSION

These Appalachian Kentucky health care providers provided important insights into barriers and facilitators to HPV vaccine uptake and adherence that need to be readily addressed in this community. As informed by these providers, several suggestions for improving HPV vaccination, such as more targeted education efforts and patient-centered reminder systems, may be applicable to other nursing professionals working in rural and medically underserved communities.

Evaluation of Patient Needs and Patient Navigator Communication about Cervical Cancer Prevention in Appalachian Kentucky

Few studies describe the way patient navigation processes may address disparities in treatment and follow-up care for medically underserved populations. Using a social ecological framework, we analyzed survey assessments of 519 patients completing a randomized navigation trial in Appalachia Kentucky to examine patient-reported barriers to follow-up cervical cancer care. We also analyzed in-depth interview transcripts with four lay patient navigators in the trial to identify barriers to follow-up care and to learn what communication strategies navigators use to successfully (or unsuccessfully) help patients navigate around those barriers. Our analysis provides insight into how patient navigation may improve adherence to follow-up care through assisted uncertainty management. We also discuss opportunities for improving navigator training to address disparities in clinical outcomes.

"1-2-3 Pap" Intervention Improves HPV Vaccine Series Completion among Appalachian Women

Completion of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series is a national priority. This study not only identified correlates of intent to complete the vaccine series and actual series completion, but also tested the efficacy of a DVD intervention to promote series completion. Women's beliefs that all three doses reduced cancer risk predicted intent and completion. Intention predicted completion, as did the belief that having a friend accompany the woman would promote completion. Beyond these effects, women assigned to the intervention were 2.44 times more likely than women in the control group to complete the series. Thus, in controlled analyses, a theory-grounded DVD intervention successfully promoted HPV series completion in a community setting. This method of intervention has high translational potential.

Ohio Appalachia public health department personnel: human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine availability, and acceptance and concerns among parents of male and female adolescents

Public health departments (n = 48) serving the 32 counties of Ohio Appalachia were contacted to determine human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine availability and to assess patient and parental attitudes, perceived barriers, and decisional differences about vaccination for male and female adolescents. Nurses or nursing supervisors in 46 of 48 health departments agreed to participate with 45 (97.8 %) reporting that HPV vaccines were available for males and females. HPV vaccination barriers reported most frequently were lack of knowledge about the vaccines, concerns about potential side effects, the newness of the HPV vaccines, and parents believing their children were not sexually active or were too young to receive an HPV vaccine. Provider reports of the primary differences in the acceptability of an HPV vaccine among parents of males compared to the parents of females were lack of awareness that an HPV vaccine was available for males, not understanding why the vaccine should be given to males, and fear of vaccination increasing sexual promiscuity among female adolescents. Half of the health departments (n = 24) reported that parents of females were more receptive toward HPV vaccination, 16 health departments reported no difference in acceptability based on gender of the child, and 5 health departments reported that parents of males were more receptive. This study suggests that there are different informational needs of males and females and parents of male and female children when making an informed decision about HPV vaccination. Findings highlight content to include in strategies to increase HPV vaccination rates among Appalachia Ohio residents.

HPV vaccination among adolescent females from Appalachia: implications for cervical cancer disparities

BACKGROUND

Appalachia is a geographic region with high cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates, yet little is known about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in this region. We determined HPV vaccine coverage among adolescent females from Appalachia, made comparisons to non-Appalachian females, and examined how coverage differs across subregions within Appalachia.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the National Immunization Survey-Teen 2008-2010 for adolescent females ages 13-17 (n = 1,951, Appalachian females and n = 25,468, non-Appalachian females). We examined HPV vaccine initiation (receipt of at least one dose), completion (receipt of at least three doses), and follow-through (completion among initiators). Analyses used weighted logistic regression.

RESULTS

HPV vaccine initiation [Appalachian = 40.8% vs. non-Appalachian = 43.6%; OR, 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.79-1.07] and completion (Appalachian = 27.7% vs. non-Appalachian = 25.3%; OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.95-1.32) were similar between Appalachian and non-Appalachian females. HPV vaccine follow-through was higher among Appalachian females than non-Appalachian females (67.8% vs. 58.1%; OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.07-1.72). Vaccination outcomes tended to be higher in the Northern (completion and follow-through) and South Central (follow-through) subregions of Appalachia compared with non-Appalachian United States. Conversely, vaccination outcomes tended to be lower in the Central (initiation and completion) and Southern (initiation and completion) subregions.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, HPV vaccination in Appalachia is mostly similar to the rest of the United States. However, vaccination is lagging in regions of Appalachia where cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates are highest.

IMPACT

Current cervical cancer disparities could potentially worsen if HPV vaccine coverage is not improved in regions of Appalachia with low HPV vaccine coverage.

Assessing the burden of HPV-related cancers in Appalachia

Appalachia is a geographic region with existing cancer disparities, yet little is known about its burden of HPV-related cancers outside of cervical cancer. We assessed the burden of HPV-related cancers in three Appalachian states and made comparisons to non-Appalachian regions. We examined 1996-2008 cancer registry data for Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) 9 program. For each gender, we calculated age-adjusted incidence rates per 100,000 population for each HPV-related cancer type (cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal and oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers) and all HPV-related cancers combined. Incidence rates among females for all HPV-related cancers combined were higher in Appalachian Kentucky [24.6 (95% CI: 23.5-25.7)], West Virginia [22.8 (95% CI: 22.0-23.6)] and Appalachian Ohio [21.9 (95% CI: 21.0-22.8)] than SEER 9 [18.8 (95% CI: 18.6-19.0)]. Similar disparities were found among females when examining cervical and vulvar cancers separately. Among males, Appalachian [21.3 (95% CI: 20.2-22.4)] and non-Appalachian [21.9 (95% CI: 21.2-22.7)] Kentucky had higher incidence rates for all HPV-related cancers combined than SEER 9 [18.3 (95% CI: 18.1-18.6)]. The incidence rate of all HPV-related cancers combined was higher among males from Appalachian Ohio compared with those from non-Appalachian Ohio [17.6 (95% CI: 16.8-18.5) vs. 16.3 (95% CI: 16.0-16.6)]. Our study suggests that HPV-related cancer disparities exist in Appalachia beyond the known high cervical cancer incidence rates. These results have important public health implications by beginning to demonstrate the potential impact that widespread HPV vaccination could have in Appalachia.

Perceived risk of cervical cancer in Appalachian women

OBJECTIVE

To examine perceptions of cervical cancer risk in elevated-risk Appalachians.

METHODS

Appalachian women (n=571) completed interviews examining self-regulation model factors relevant to perceived risk of cervical cancer.

RESULTS

Women with good/very good knowledge of cervical cancer, greater worry, and history of sexually transmitted infection had higher odds of rating their perceived risk as somewhat/much higher than did other women. Former smokers, compared to never smokers, had lower risk perceptions.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-regulation model factors are important to understanding perceptions of cervical cancer risk in underserved women. The relationship of smoking and worry to perceived risk may be a target for intervention.

Mortality disparities in Appalachia: reassessment of major risk factors

OBJECTIVE

To determine the predictive value of coal mining and other risk factors for explaining disproportionately high mortality rates across Appalachia.

METHOD

Mortality and covariate data were obtained from publicly available databases for 2000 to 2004. Analysis employed ordinary least square multiple linear regression with age-adjusted mortality as the dependent variable.

RESULTS

Age-adjusted all-cause mortality was independently related to Poverty Rate, Median Household Income, Percent High School Graduates, Rural-Urban Location, Obesity, Sex, and Race/Ethnicity, but not Unemployment Rate, Percent Uninsured, Percent College Graduates, Physician Supply, Smoking, Diabetes, or Coal Mining.

CONCLUSIONS

Coal mining is not per se an independent risk factor for increased mortality in Appalachia. Nevertheless, our results underscore the substantial economic and cultural disadvantages that adversely impact health in Appalachia, especially in the coal-mining areas of Central Appalachia.

Assessment of cancer education seminars for Appalachian populations

Cancer education seminars for Appalachian populations were conducted to: (1) increase knowledge of existing cancer disparities, (2) disseminate findings from Appalachian community-based participatory research (CBPR) projects, and (3) foster CBPR capacity building among community members by promoting social networking. Evaluation of the seminars was completed by: (1) using pre-post-surveys to assess changes in knowledge and attitudes at three regional and one national seminar and (2) measuring a change in the social network patterns of participants at a national seminar by analyzing the names of individuals known at the beginning and at the end of the seminar by each participant. Among participants, there was a significant increase in knowledge of Appalachian cancer disparities at two seminars [national, t(145) = 3.41, p = 0.001; Pennsylvania, t(189) = 3.00, p = 0.003] and a change in attitudes about Appalachia at one seminar [Ohio t(193) = -2.80, p = 0.006]. Social network analysis, operationally defined for this study as familiarity with individuals attending the conference, showed participation in the national seminar fostered capacity building for future CBPR by the development of new network ties. Findings indicate that short-term outcomes of the seminars were accomplished. Future educational seminars should consider using social network analysis as a new evaluation methodology.

Sexually related behaviors as predictors of HPV vaccination among young rural women

PURPOSE

To explore whether sexually related behaviors predict refusal of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among a sample of women aged 18-26 in Appalachian Kentucky.

METHODS

Using a convenience sample, young women attending health clinics and a community college in southeastern Kentucky were recruited to participate in a Women's Health Study. After completing a questionnaire, women received a free voucher for the three-dose HPV vaccine series. Completion of dose one served as the outcome variable.

RESULTS

Women with a history of an abnormal Pap test were almost two times more likely to decline the HPV vaccine (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-3.20, p=0.015), and women who reported they had never had a Pap test were four times more likely to decline the vaccine (AOR 4.02, 95% CI 1.13-14.32, p=0.032). Women engaging in mutual masturbation were nearly two times more likely to decline the free vaccine (AOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.17-3.10, p=0.009). Use of hormonal birth control showed a protective effect against refusal of the free HPV vaccine (AOR 0.593, 95% CI 0.44-0.80, p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Among this sample of Appalachian women, those engaging in behaviors that increase their risk for HPV infection were more likely to refuse the vaccine. Conversely, those women engaging in protective health behaviors were more likely to accept the vaccine. These findings suggest that those women not being vaccinated may be the very group most likely to benefit from vaccination. Cervical cancer prevention programs need to be creative in efforts to reach young women most in need of the vaccine based on a higher profile of sexually related behaviors and the proxy measure of this risk (having an abnormal Pap test result).

Cervical cancer survival for patients referred to a tertiary care center in Kentucky

OBJECTIVES

To identify prognostic factors influencing cervical cancer survival for patients referred to a tertiary care center in Kentucky.

METHODS

A cohort study was performed to assess predictive survival factors of cervical cancer patients referred to the University of Kentucky from January 2001 to May 2010. Eligibility criteria included those at least 18 years-old, cervical cancer history, and no prior malignancy. Descriptive statistics were compiled and univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis were performed.

RESULTS

381 patients met entry criteria. 95% were Caucasian (N=347) and 66% (N=243) lived in Appalachian Kentucky. The following covariates showed no evidence of a statistical association with survival: race, body mass index, residence, insurance status, months between last normal cervical cytology and diagnosis, histology, tumor grade, and location of primary radiation treatment. After controlling for identified significant variables, stage of disease was a significant predictor of overall survival, with estimated relative hazards comparing stages II, III, and IV to stage I of 3.09 (95% CI: 1.30, 7.33), 18.11 (95% CI: 7.44, 44.06), and 53.03(95% CI: 18.16, 154.87), respectively. The presence of more than two comorbid risk factors and unemployment was also correlated with overall survival [HR 4.25 (95% CI: 1.00, 18.13); HR 2.64 (95% CI 1.29, 5.42), respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

Residence and location of treatment center are not an important factor in cervical cancer survival when a tertiary cancer center can oversee and coordinate care; however, comorbid risk factors influence survival and further exploration of disease comorbidity related to cervical cancer survival is warranted.

Appalachian and non-Appalachian pediatricians' encouragement of the human papillomavirus vaccine: implications for health disparities

BACKGROUND

In medically underserved regions such as Appalachia, cervical cancer incidence and mortality are higher than the general U.S. population; therefore, it is important for pediatricians to encourage parents to have their daughters vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV). Unfortunately, little is known about the predictors of pediatricians' encouragement of the HPV vaccine among medically underserved populations. The current study compared attitudes and behaviors of pediatricians with practices in Appalachia with those in non-Appalachia to identify potential strategies for reducing health disparities.

METHODS

A survey was conducted with 334 pediatricians located in Appalachia and non-Appalachia counties to examine how prior behavior, perceived susceptibility, severity, self-efficacy, response-efficacy, and behavioral intentions are related to self-reported vaccine encouragement.

RESULTS

Pediatricians in Appalachia perceived their patients to be less susceptible to HPV and reported lower rates of HPV encouragement than pediatricians in non-Appalachia. In addition, self-efficacy had a significant indirect association with vaccine encouragement for pediatricians in non-Appalachia.

CONCLUSION

This study's findings emphasize the importance of increasing Appalachian pediatricians' awareness of their patients' susceptibility to HPV. Broader efforts to increase encouragement of the HPV vaccine among pediatricians should focus on promoting self-efficacy to encourage the HPV vaccine to parents of young females.

The roles of social domains, behavioral risk, health care resources, and chlamydia in spatial clusters of US cervical cancer mortality: not all the clusters are the same

BACKGROUND

While high-risk geographic clusters of cervical cancer mortality have previously been assessed, factors associated with this geographic patterning have not been well studied. Once these factors are identified, etiologic hypotheses and targeted population-based interventions may be developed and lead to a reduction in geographic disparities in cervical cancer mortality.

METHODS

The authors linked multiple data sets at the county level to assess the effects of social domains, behavioral risk factors, local physician and hospital availability, and Chlamydia trachomatis infection on overall spatial clustering and on individual clusters of cervical cancer mortality rates in 2000-2004 among 3,105 US counties in the 48 states and the District of Columbia.

RESULTS

During the study period, a total of 19,898 cervical cancer deaths occurred in women aged 20 and older. The distributions of county-level characteristics indicated wide ranges in social domains measured by demographics and socioeconomic status, local health care resources, and the rate of chlamydial infection. We found that overall geographic clustering of increased cervical cancer mortality was related to the high proportion of black population, low socioeconomic status, low Papanicolaou test rate, low health care coverage, and the high chlamydia rate; however, unique characteristics existed for each individual cluster, and the Appalachian cluster was not related to a high proportion of black population or to chlamydia rates.

DISCUSSION

This study indicates that local social domains, behavioral risk, and health care sources are associated with geographic disparities in cervical cancer mortality rates. The association between the chlamydia rate and the cervical cancer mortality rate may be confounded by other factors known to be a risk for cervical cancer mortality, such as the infection with human papillomavirus. The findings will help cancer researchers examine etiologic hypotheses and develop tailored, cluster-specific interventions to reduce cervical cancer disparities.

Acceptance of the HPV vaccine among women, parents, community leaders, and healthcare providers in Ohio Appalachia

To assess HPV vaccine acceptability, focus groups of women (18-26 years), parents, community leaders, and healthcare providers were conducted throughout Ohio Appalachia. Themes that emerged among the 23 focus groups (n=114) about the HPV vaccine were: barriers (general health and vaccine specific), lack of knowledge (cervical cancer and HPV), cultural attitudes, and suggestions for educational materials and programs. Important Appalachian attitudes included strong family ties, privacy, conservative views, and lack of trust of outsiders to the region. There are differences in HPV vaccine acceptability among different types of community members highlighting the need for a range of HPV vaccine educational materials/programs to be developed that are inclusive of the Appalachian culture.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine availability, recommendations, cost, and policies among health departments in seven Appalachian states

Telephone interviews of health department personnel in six states and review of an immunization database from one state were conducted to assess human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine availability, recommendations, cost, policies, and educational materials in health departments in seven Appalachian states. Most (99.1%) health departments (n=234) reported receiving patient requests for the HPV vaccine, and only two (1%) health departments reported that they did not provide the vaccine for patients. HPV vaccine supply was reported to not meet the demand in 10.5% (24/228) of health departments due to high costs. Level (state, region, county) at which policy about the HPV vaccine was determined, vaccine recommendations, costs, and available educational materials varied among states. This study documented variation in vaccine availability, recommendations, cost, policies, and educational materials in Appalachian health departments that could significantly affect vaccine distribution. Findings highlight the need for more comprehensive and consistent policies that maximize accessibility of the HPV vaccine to women, especially those in underserved areas.