Sociocultural correlates of cervical cancer prevention behaviors among Hispanic/Latina women in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Hispanic/Latina women in the United States have high rates of cervical cancer and little is known regarding how sociocultural factors might be related to their cervical cancer prevention behaviors.

PURPOSE: Two studies examined correlates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine initiation, HPV vaccine completion, ever screening for cervical cancer, and being up to date with screening among screening- and vaccine-eligible Hispanic/Latina women.

METHODS: Study 1 examined sociodemographic correlates of these behaviors using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Study 2 examined whether endorsement of simpatía (ie, expressing warmth to avoid conflict and promote harmony in interpersonal interactions) and familism (ie, supportive familial relationships that emphasize commitment to and prioritization of the family) explained unique variance in these behaviors while controlling for the sociodemographic variables from study 1.

RESULTS: In study 1, women who were younger, insured, and who had higher income had greater odds of vaccine initiation. Heterosexual women and those with higher education had greater odds of vaccine completion. Women who were older, married, insured, heterosexual, and who had higher education and income had greater odds of ever screening. Women who were younger and heterosexual had greater odds of being up to date with screening. In study 2, endorsement of simpatía explained unique variance in vaccine initiation even while controlling for sociodemographic variables.

CONCLUSIONS: Age, income, sexual orientation, and insurance status were consistently related to cervical cancer prevention behaviors among Hispanic/Latina women. Future research should examine the mechanisms through which the association between simpatía and HPV vaccine initiation occurs.