Cervical Cancer Knowledge as a Predictor of Latent Class Membership among African American and Hispanic Young Adult College Women

Background: Multiple studies have shown that African-American and Hispanic women have limited and inadequate knowledge about cervical cancer (CC) and CC screening, which contributes to morbidity and mortality disparities. Access to knowledge, education, and other socio-political factors are social determinants of health that serve to shape individual health behavior knowledge. Better CC knowledge has been shown to increase screening uptake. Methods: In the present study, we specified unique subgroups regarding CC prevention behaviors in a sample of African-American and Hispanic women (N = 328) recruited from a minority-serving higher education institution. Results: Latent class analysis identified 3 unique salient subgroups based on the indicators: CC Screening Adherers and Vaccinators (14%), CC Screening Adherers (48%), and CC Prevention Non-adherers (38%). We found probable variations within the classes regarding screening behavior, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination status, and race/ethnicity. Women reporting higher guideline knowledge were 11 times more likely to be classified as CC Screening Adherers and Vaccinators than CC Prevention Non-adherers. Additionally, women who specifically understood that HPV causes cervical cancer were 16 and 9 times more likely to be classified as CC Screening Adherers and Vaccinators and CC Screening Adherers than to be classified as CC Prevention Non-adherers. Conclusion: Addressing cervical cancer knowledge remains an important intervention strategy in these populations to increase CC screening uptake.