Shehzeen Kamil, 334 E 26th Street Apt 18-J-2, New York, NY 10010
Email: shehzeen.kamil@nyumc.org

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To gain insight into sexual health awareness, knowledge of the link between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cx Ca, and perceptions regarding HPV vaccination acceptability among indigent Pakistani women and physicians of Pakistani heritage.
Study Design: Prospective observational study
Methodology: Anonymized questionnaires were administered in July 2012. Women attending a private co-education college in Karachi, Pakistan. Health care providers of Pakistani descent affiliated with a local chapter of a medical society in North America. Two separate questionnaires were administered to different populations – one at the level of the “population”, and one at the level of the “health care provider”. Both surveys were approved by the Yale University Human Investigation Committee; approvals from the respective institution/organization were additionally obtained.
Results: Amongst surveyed Pakistani women (N=74), awareness regarding sexual transmissibility of HPV (57%) and linkage of HPV to Cx Ca (38%) was limited; only 13.5% felt they knew enough about HPV pathogenicity and its vaccine. Of the 15 multidisciplinary physicians of Pakistani descent who were surveyed, only 7% correctly identified the currently recommended eligibility criteria for HPV vaccination. Few (13%) were confident of the adequacy of their training in addressing sexual health concerns of their patients, while 40% felt comfortable approaching this topic with patients. A majority (93%) strongly agreed that education and awareness on reproductive health amongst Pakistanis was deficient.
Conclusion: Our survey underscores concerning level of awareness regarding transmissibility of HPV and pathogenesis of a potentially preventable entity, i.e. Cx Ca. A need for targeted dissemination of sexual health-related education amongst the Pakistani community – both at the level of the patient and healthcare provider, is evident.
Keywords: Cervical cancer, HPV, Sexually transmitted infections.

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