Wisdom About Papanicolaou: A Campaign To Promote Cervical Cancer Screening Among HIV-Positive Women
Abstract
Background: HIV-positive women are more likely to die from preventable or treatable cervical cancer than HIV (UNAIDS, 2018). HIV-positive women are five times more likely to be affected by cervical cancer than HIV-negative women (UNAIDS, 2018). Previous research has shown that widespread use of the Pap test leads to substantial reductions in death from cervical cancer; however, few women remain adherent to cervical cancer screening guidelines.
Purpose: The quality improvement project aimed to use an educational brochure to increase cervical cancer knowledge and screening among HIV-positive women in a local FQHC using the Health Belief Model (HBM).
Methods: In this quality improvement project, HIV-positive women’s knowledge regarding cervical cancer screening was assessed using a pre- and post-test. Pre- and post-intervention cervical cancer screening compliance was assessed. The difference in mean knowledge scores were assessed using the paired samples t-test. A one-sample chi-square test assessed the difference in the proportion of women who received cervical cancer screening between the period before and after the intervention. An alpha level of 0.05 determined statistical significance.
Results: Results of the two-tailed paired samples t-test revealed a statistically significant difference between pre-intervention and post-intervention knowledge (t(17) = -4.27, p < .001). The chi-square test results yielded greater than 50% of participants who scheduled and completed pap screening post-intervention.
Implications for the Future: Results of this quality improvement project can guide the implementation of policies, protocols, and guidelines which promote healthcare providers to utilize HIV-tailored education.