G. Mendoza

Barriers to prevention: knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccinations among African American women

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge of the human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer, and HPV vaccination in African American women (AAW). STUDY DESIGN This study was a quantitative cross-sectional survey of English-speaking, AAW, 18-70 years old who were recruited from a community fair in Chicago, IL. Surveys were distributed to a convenience sample to assess knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine. Cumulative knowledge scores were calculated for each participant, and analysis was performed to identify factors that were associated with adequate knowledge scores. RESULTS Three hundred twenty-two surveys were distributed; 242 surveys were collected, and 215 surveys met inclusion criteria. Mean knowledge score was 12.3 ± 4.2 (mean ± SD) of a maximum score of 28 (range, 3-23); 73% of participants scored <65% on the knowledge portion of the survey. Education level (P = .007), household income (P = .010), and having a child who had been offered the HPV vaccine (P = .041) were associated with adequate (≥65% accuracy) knowledge scores. CONCLUSION Knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccination was low in this urban African American adult female population. Targeted educational health programs are needed to increase awareness among these women who have the highest rate of cervical cancer mortality in the United States. Such patient educational programs must be developed by physicians and should address the cultural and literacy needs of this particular group of women. In addition, AAW exert influence on the health of their communities and are integral in health-related decision-making; thus, educating them through their health care providers will have far ranging impact.

74: Fibroids and urinary symptoms study (FUSS)

(+/346.8). One hundred sixty-two patients (95.8%) were discharged to home within one day or less. Final pathological diagnosis was benign in 99.4% of the cases. Uterine leiomyoma was the most common final pathology diagnosis. Occult malignancy was identified in one patient. There were no conversions to an open approach, no instances of containment bag tear or gross spillage during the manual tissue extraction process, and no complications related to the tissue extraction technique. CONCLUSION: Contained extracorporeal manual tissue extraction through an extended umbilical incision is a safe and feasible technique in women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy and laparoscopic myomectomy.