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作者: Deanna Kepka, 博士学位
What is your experience as a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine 和 cancer prevention researcher?
In my role as an 人乳头状瘤病毒疫苗 和 cancer prevention researcher at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U), an associate professor in the College of Nursing at the U, 和 the director of Global Health Program, I have worked to improve HPV vaccination locally 和 globally for 15 years. Cancer prevention through vaccination is my passion. My love for global health was born when I worked for a HIV/AIDS nongovernmental organization in Jamaica as a Peace Corps volunteer in my early 20s.
What was the purpose of your visit to Ug和a?
子宫颈癌 is the most frequent cancer among women in Ug和a. With a population of more than 12 million women, 大约5,000 women die from cervical cancer each year.
I went to Kampala, Ug和a to partner with my colleagues, Schola Matovu, 博士学位, 还有黛布拉·彭尼, 博士学位, on an HPV vaccination 和 cancer prevention workshop for nursing, 医疗, 和 health students at Clarke International University.
Dr. Matovu is an assistant professor in the College of Nursing at the U 和 is completing a Fogarty Award in Ug和a. Her foundational research explores the experiences 和 emotional well-being of gr和parents who care for their gr和children affected by HIV/AIDS in Ug和a. Her research involves interviews 和 discussions with community members to inform the development of a program that supports Ug和an gr和mothers. This program aims to help them become financially independent, receive peer-to-peer support, 和 improve their overall health. This workshop builds on this research.
What are the key findings from the workshop?
Our workshop had a total of 65 participants 和 three staff members. Together, we learned about similar barriers to timely cervical cancer screening 和 prevention services faced by women in Ug和a 和 those in rural communities in the United States. Throughout the training, the Clarke International University students were engaging, 深思熟虑的, 和鼓舞人心的. I enjoyed working together 和 look forward to working with them again.
Our post-training survey included 49 respondents where we learned these takeaways:
- Nearly 7 in 10 identified as women.
- About 7 in 10 were students.
- Respondents ranged from 20-46 years old. The average age was 27.8.
- Of respondents who identified as women, about 60% never received a pap smear.
- About 3 in 4 had never received an 人乳头状瘤病毒疫苗.
- Out of the respondents, about 1 in 5 have a daughter between the ages of 11-17. Among these daughters, 22% have not received an 人乳头状瘤病毒疫苗.
- All 49 of the respondents believed the training to be relevant to their academic knowledge 和 professional development.
Why is HPV awareness important?
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. Nearly all of us have had it or will have it. Enhancing HPV screening 和 HPV vaccination efforts for children means we can prevent cervical 和 other HPV-related cancers in all people. This approach safeguards people’s private area 和 protects against 口腔 和 咽喉癌症. Awareness also helps remove the stigma that surrounds HPV.
What can people do help promote HPV awareness?
- Promote 人乳头状瘤病毒疫苗s for children.
- Advocate for HPV cervical cancer screening for persons with a cervix.
- Raise awareness to remove the stigma that surrounds HPV.
