Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices Among U. S. College Students Concerning Papillomavirus Vaccination.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. Data on knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs related to HPV vaccination among college students are limited. The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive description of the variables influencing HPV vaccination uptake and intention among college students. This study employed a cross sectional descriptive quantitative design. Survey data were collected online from the 181 college students, aged 18-25 years. The data were analyzed to identify the students' attitudes toward HPV vaccine (perceived potential harm, effectiveness, barriers, and uncertainty), knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine, and their intention of receiving the vaccine in the next 6 months. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regressions were conducted to examine the correlates of vaccination intention and uptake. Among 181 participants, 101 (55.8%) were had received at least one dose of HPV vaccine, 52 (28.7%) intended to receive HPV vaccine, and 28 (15.5%) did not intend to receive HPV vaccine. On average, participants responded correctly to less than half of the questions on the HPV knowledge and HPV vaccine knowledge scales, and those who were vaccinated were significantly more knowledgeable than their counterparts. Multivariate logistic regression showed HPV vaccine knowledge and uncertainty were significant factors associated with HPV vaccine uptake. Providing education designed to improve HPV and HPV vaccination knowledge and decrease feelings of uncertainty could improve college students' HPV vaccination uptake.

Factors Influencing Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Thais in the U.S.

This study examined factors related to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake among Thais in the United States. A total of 121 Thais between 50 and 75 years of age, who were married and living in southern California participated in the survey (mean age = 61 years). Out of all the participants, only 21% of the participants had fecal occult blood tests, 21% had sigmoidoscopy, and 45% had colonoscopy that were within the recommended period. Overall, 55% of participants met CRC screening adherence criteria. Participants who had had regular checkups in the previous 2 years without having any symptoms were 16 times more likely to have obtained CRC screening than their counterparts (OR 16.01, CI 3.75-68.75) in the multivariable logistic regression model. Other significant predictors of screening adherence included older age (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.00-1.17), having lived in the U.S. 15 years or longer (OR 6.65, 95% CI 1.55-28.59), having had at least some college education (OR 3.74, 95% CI 1.23-11.37), and higher levels of perceived self-efficacy (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.01-3.50) to obtain CRC screening. Targeted interventions for Thais who are less likely receive CRC screening could be effective in improving CRC screening. Interventions to improve the populations' awareness of the importance of preventive measures when they are not sick could be also effective.

Factors Associated with Breast Cancer Screening among Korean American Women in California: Results from the California Health Interview Survey 2015­2016

Background: Few studies have examined preventive lifestyle behaviors and breast cancer (BC) screening behaviors simultaneously to determine whether BC screening behaviors are associated with preventive lifestyle behaviors. The purposes of this study are to (a) describe BC screening utilization and preventive lifestyle behaviors and (b) examine factors associated with BC utilization among Korean American (KA) women. Methods: Data from the 2015­2016 California Health Interview Survey were analyzed. Survey-weighted adjusted logistic regressions were used to determine whether preventive lifestyle behaviors and characteristics of KA women 50 years of age and older at the time of the survey were associated with obtaining mammograms. Results: Most participants were born outside of the US and had lived in the US for 15 years or more at the time of the survey. This study found that KA women who were 50­64 years old had 38 times greater odds of having ever had a mammogram and a 13 times greater odds of having a recent mammogram than those 65 and older. KA women who walked at least 10 minutes per week for transportation and leisure purposed were 61 times more likely to have ever had a mammogram than those who did not walk. Conclusion: This study provides important perspectives on associations of BC screening behaviors and preventive life-style behaviors, especially walking. Future research should be conducted to better understand the association between BC screening and preventive life-style behaviors and to develop feasible interventions to improve BC screening behaviors among KA women, particularly elderly and physically inactive ones.

Thai American women's perceptions regarding mammography participation.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the factors influencing mammography screening among Thai immigrant women in Southern California. BACKGROUND: Asian women have lower mammography screening rates than other U.S. women (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2007), and only 53% of Thai women in Los Angeles had a mammogram in the prior 2 years (Thai Community Development Center, 2004). DESIGN: A phenomenological approach was used to elicit Thai immigrant women's perceptions of the reasons for screening participation. Phenomenology is an appropriate means of describing screening as experienced by members of a population for which there is little information. Focus groups were used to collect data to provide a group perspective. SAMPLE: Thai women over 40 years of age in 2 Southern California counties were recruited at a local temple and a social services agency. MEASUREMENT: Participants were asked about mammography participation and to describe the factors that influenced screening for themselves, family members, and friends. Thematic analysis identified major themes. RESULTS: Factors influencing mammography screening included knowledge, encouragement, health consciousness, physical factors, fear, cultural factors, social responsibilities, and logistical barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Participants identified factors amenable to nursing intervention that may influence mammography screening in this population. Further study is needed to determine the prevalence of these factors.