Disparities in Cervical Cancer Knowledge and Trust in Information Sources Among Diverse American Women.

Abstract

Cervical cancer rates have declined due to prevention and screening, but disparities remain. This study examines how trust and preference in information sources affect knowledge and behaviors, alongside demographic differences to identify health disparities. This study used Health Information National Trends Survey data and employed weighted chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression to analyze associations between knowledge, behaviors, and demographic differences. The results revealed significant disparities in HPV awareness, with lower awareness among Black (OR, 0.521), Hispanic (OR, 0.398), and Asian (OR, 0.138) women compared to Whites. Age and education also played roles, as older and less-educated women were less informed. Trust in doctors was crucial; women with low trust in doctors (aOR, 0.499; 95% CI, 0.252-0.989) had lower odds of having heard of HPV. Preference for written materials as a primary information source (aOR, 0.312; 95% CI, 0.122-0.793) also correlated with lower HPV awareness compared to preferring information from doctors. Furthermore, women with low trust in charity organizations (aOR, 0.647; 95% CI, 0.461-0.909) were less likely to believe HPV causes cervical cancer, while those who preferred the internet as an information source (aOR, 1.544; 95% CI, 1.026-2.324) had higher odds of having heard of HPV compared to those preferring doctors. Minority populations, older women, and those with lower education levels had significantly lower HPV knowledge. These findings highlight the need for tailored communication, community outreach, policy initiatives, culturally sensitive approaches, digital health interventions, and strategies promoting patient-provider trust to address these disparities.