Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States, and it can cause various forms of cancer in various parts of the body. Despite a wealth of evidence linking HPV to cancer, many concerns remain unsolved, notably about the relevance of HPV vaccinations in prevention and the intricacies of how HPV-related malignancies are produced.
Being a member of a historically disadvantaged racial or ethnic minority, as well as coming from a lower socioeconomic background, are two sociodemographic factors that contribute to these discrepancies. A recent study has placed attention on the issue of inadequate awareness of HPV, which reduces the uptake of primary and secondary prevention measures such as vaccines and screening.
More significant structural issues, such as more excellent mortality rates, lower quality of life, and uneven access to healthcare, may be connected to these inequities, particularly for low-income and ethnic minority populations.Â
Because of the multiplying impacts of various social features, understanding the complexities of HPV awareness and knowledge gaps requires the idea of intersectionality. Race and ethnicity are essential, but they are only indicators of a much broader set of social and structural determinants that include, among other things, economic position, cultural influences, institutional prejudice, and access to healthcare. Â
To gain a better understanding of these complexities, researchers computed the weighted prevalence of three variables across individuals of different educational levels, racial/ethnic backgrounds, and their intersection from 2017 to 2020: knowledge of HPV causing cancer, vaccination awareness, and HPV awareness. The findings revealed a substantial relationship between people’s level of education and their racial or ethnic group, as well as their knowledge of HPV and vaccination.Â
The study shed light on some unanswered questions about the relationship between HPV and non-cervical malignancies. Although many people were aware that HPV may cause cervical cancer, only around one-third were aware that it might also cause other forms of cancer. This data gap has not been closed in the most recent survey cycles for all racial and ethnic groups or education levels, which is quite alarming. Â
Individualized therapy was plainly required since various demographic variables, such as degree of education, race/ethnicity, and others, exacerbate each other’s impacts. Members of racial and ethnic minorities, as well as those with less education, had considerably lower knowledge about HPV vaccination. If public health initiatives are to address the diverse needs of different populations adequately, they must account for the complex distinctions among sociodemographic categories. Â
The study’s findings suggest that institutional and systemic racism leads to persistent gaps in HPV knowledge and comprehension, among other historical and systemic challenges. It is vital to recognize these cumulative impacts in order to guarantee that resources such as healthcare, education, and immunization chances are appropriately allocated.Â
Finally, the study emphasizes the critical need to enhance data on HPV-related malignancies, particularly those that do not begin in the cervical region. Identifying and removing structural barriers is critical for the fair distribution of education and resources among populations with poor HPV awareness and understanding.
The continual gaps in comprehension emphasize how important this is. Suppose the incidence of malignancies caused by HPV is to be reduced in the United States. In that case, efforts must be taken to increase public awareness of the virus and its preventative strategies. Â
Journal ReferenceÂ
Erica S. Stephens, B. (2023) Human Papillomavirus Awareness by Educational Level and by Race and Ethnicity Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2811816?widget=personalizedcontent&previousarticle=187Â
