Cervical Cancer and Human Papillomavirus Awareness among Women in Antigua and Barbuda

Associations of eHealth Literacy With Cervical Cancer and Human Papillomavirus Awareness Among Women in Türkiye: A Cross-sectional Study

Internet is women's primary source of information about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus. The aim of this study was to determine the associations of electronic health literacy with cervical cancer and human papillomavirus awareness among women of reproductive age. This is a cross-sectional study. The research sample consisted of 330 women of reproductive age (15-49 years), who were admitted to family health centers. The data were collected between July and August 2023 using eHealth Literacy Scale and the Cervical Cancer and Human Papillomavirus Awareness Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore the predictors of cervical cancer and human papillomavirus awareness. In this study, the mean score of women's knowledge about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus was found to be low (4.54 ± 3.94), and the mean score of threat perception was found to be moderate (45.60 ± 6.54). eHealth literacy was found to be a predictor of women's knowledge about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus and threat perception. This result suggests that eHealth literacy should be considered for interventions to increase knowledge and awareness of women about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus.

Overall Observed Survival of Female Breast, Cervical, Colorectal, and Prostate Cancers in Antigua and Barbuda, 2017-2021: Retrospective Data from Four Study Sites

Understanding cancer survival is important for countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, where female breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers are burdensome to the healthcare system. This study therefore aimed to estimate the survival probabilities of patients diagnosed with these cancers between 2017 and 2021. A retrospective analytical study design was used to evaluate cancer cases abstracted from medical records at key study sites. Estimates of observed survival probabilities were determined using a Kaplan-Meier analysis. Significant differences between survival curves were assessed using the log-rank test. Hazard ratios were calculated using Cox regression. A p-value < 0.05 indicated significance. A total of 391 diagnosed cases were included in this study (2017-2021): female breast cancer accounted for 42%, cervical cancer accounted for 10%, colorectal cancer accounted for 20%, and prostate cancer accounted for 28%. Overall, the mean age of the participants was 61.5 (±12.9) years; 62% were female, 73% were aged > 55 years, 56% were from St. John's, and 82% were alive at the end of 2021. The median overall survival (years) was 4.8 for female breast cancer, 4.1 for cervical cancer, 4.5 for colorectal cancer, and not reached for prostate cancer. The cancer-specific overall observed 5-year survival probabilities were 44.9% for female breast cancer, 10.8% for cervical cancer, 19.6% for colorectal cancer, and 69.0% for prostate cancer. Significant associations between disease stage and overall survival were observed in female breast and colorectal cancers. This study provides important evidence for the 5-year observed survival probabilities of the studied cancers. Healthcare improvements that support cancer survival are required.

Evaluation of HPV and Related Cancer Awareness and Vaccination Attitudes Among Patients with Anogenital Warts: a Survey-Based Study

We aimed to evaluate awareness of HPV and its associated cancers, attitudes toward HPV vaccination, and vaccination rates in individuals with anogenital warts. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital using a questionnaire completed by individuals diagnosed with anogenital warts. A total of 105 respondents were included in the study, comprising 80 males (76.2%) and 25 females (23.8%). The mean age of participants was 34.7 ± 11.2 years. HPV awareness was 70.5%, while cervical cancer awareness was 38.1%. Women demonstrated significantly higher levels of HPV and cervical cancer awareness, as well as knowledge of Pap smear testing, compared to men. Women were also significantly more likely than men to express willingness to vaccinate their children against HPV (84.0% vs. 58.8%, p = 0.039). Higher education levels were associated with increased awareness of HPV, HPV vaccination, and willingness to vaccinate children. Physicians were the primary source of HPV-related information across the cohort. HPV vaccine awareness was 73.3%, but the overall vaccination rate was only 10.5%, with women showing significantly higher vaccination rates than men (24% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.021). The most commonly reported barriers to vaccination were cost (60%) and lack of information (45.7%). None of the participants had vaccinated their children. This study highlights that awareness of HPV and its vaccination is associated with gender and education level but does not translate into higher vaccination rates. Efforts should focus on targeting men and individuals with lower educational attainment by strengthening physicians' roles in public education. Incorporating HPV vaccination into national programs and implementing culturally tailored campaigns may effectively improve vaccination rates.

Incidence, trends and patterns of female breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancers in Antigua and Barbuda, 2017-2021: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Globally, estimates of cancer cases and deaths have increased since 2018, particularly in Latin America and Caribbean countries. In Antigua and Barbuda, understanding the burden of common cancers such as female breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancers is critical. This study aimed to assess the incidence, trends, and patterns of these four cancers from 2017 to 2021.

METHODS

Using a retrospective observational study design, information on these cancers was abstracted from medical records at four key study sites in Antigua and Barbuda. Estimates of age-specific and age-standardized incidence were determined using direct standardization. The KeyFitz method was used to derive standard errors and confidence intervals. Derived estimates were employed to analyze trends and Joinpoint regression modeling was used to determine annual percentage change.

RESULTS

Between 2017 and 2021, 391 cases of female breast (41.7%), cervical (10.2%), colorectal (20.2%) and prostate (27.9%) cancers were diagnosed. Overall mean age at presentation was 61.5 (± 12.9) years, ranging from 24 to 94 years, age-standardized incidence rate 65.2 (95% CI: 58.7-71.6) per 100,000 population. Age-standardized incidence rate for female breast cancer was 49.9 (95% CI: 42.2-57.8), annual percentage change in incidence a low of -0.2%. Prostate cancer had the second highest age-standardized incidence rate at 41.6 (95% CI: 33.8-49.4), annual percentage change showed a gradual but steady increase at 21.7%. Per cancer types, variations in age-standardized incidence rates were noted across age-groups, year-of-presentation, and parishes. Collectively, there was an 8.1% (95% CI: -14.9-37.6) annual percentage change increase in age-standardized incidence rates between 2017 and 2021. Incident cases, age-standardized incidence rates, and trends per cancer type are expected to gradually increase during 2022-2030 (average annual percentage increase is 3.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study is a first step in providing reasonable evidence on the incidence, trends, and patterns of four common cancers in Antigua and Barbuda. Female breast and prostate cancers were the dominant cancer types in terms of incidence, age-standardized incidence and predicted increasing incidence trends. Variableness in cancer-specific age-standardized rates across parishes and years of presentation were observed. Besides research, this study has importance for instituting cancer prevention and control measures, including surveillance and healthy lifestyles initiatives.

Data journey map: a process for co-creating data requirements for health care artificial intelligence

The Caribbean small island developing states have limited resources for comprehensive health care provision and are facing an increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases which is driven by an aging regional population. Artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies offer promise for contributing to health care efficiencies, but themselves are dependent on the availability and accessibility of accurate health care data. A regional shortfall in data professionals continues to hamper legislative recognition and promotion of increased data production in Caribbean countries. Tackling the data shortfall will take time and will require a sustainably wider pool of data producers. The data journey map is one approach that can contribute to overcoming such challenges. A data journey map is a process for organizing the collection of health data that focuses on interactions between patient and health care provider. It introduces the idea that data collection is an integral part of the patient journey and that interactions between patient and provider can be enhanced by building data collection into daily health care. A carefully developed and enacted data journey map highlights key points in the care pathway for data collection. These so-called data hotspots can be used to plan - then eventually implement - appropriate AI health care solutions. In this article we introduce the idea of journey mapping, offer an example using cervical cancer prevention and treatment, and discuss the benefits and challenges to implementing such an approach.

Sexual Behaviors and Intimate Relationships of Sexual Partners of Young Patients with Early-Stage Cervical Cancer: A Qualitative Study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore the sexual behaviors and intimate relationships of sexual partners of young patients with cervical cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study employed a descriptive phenomenological research design, which falls within the realm of qualitative research methods. Qualitative research typically utilizes interview techniques for gathering participants' experiences, perceptions, and behaviors. This study conduct face-to-face semi-structured interviews with the sexual partners of 15 young cervical cancer patients receiving cancer treatment to collect their experiences and perspectives on intimate relationships and sexual behavior with cervical cancer patients, and use the Colaizzi method for data analysis.

RESULTS

Four themes were identified through the interview analysis: (1) reduction or absence of sexual behavior, (2) unpleasant sexual experiences, (3) adjustment of intimate relationships, and (4) lack of sexual health education.

CONCLUSION

The sexual partners of young cervical cancer patients have experienced significant shifts in their perspectives on sexual behavior and intimate relationships. These changes include reduction or absence of sexual behavior, unpleasant sexual experiences, adjustment of intimate relationships, and lack of sexual health education. Hospitals should pay more attention to the sexual behavior and intimate relationships of patients with cervical cancer and their sexual partners, and social support systems and psychological and emotional counselling services should be established for providing relevant knowledge and guidance.