Table 3.
Cervical cancer causes, attitudes, and beliefs of Mexican immigrant women by time in the U.S
| Variables | ≤10 years in U.S. (N = 20) (%) | > 10 years in U.S. (N = 19) (%) | Total (N = 39) (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causes | |||
| Behaviors, experiences, and lifestyle choices | |||
| Sexual intercourse before age 16 yearsa | 17 (85) | 14 (74) | 31 (79) |
| Multiple sexual partnersa | 19 (95) | 18 (95) | 37 (95) |
| Spouse with multiple sexual partnersa | 18 (90) | 17 (90) | 35 (90) |
| Sex during menstrual period | 13 (65) | 14 (74) | 27 (69) |
| Smokinga | 12 (60) | 10 (53) | 22 (56) |
| Poor feminine hygiene | 19 (95) | 17 (90) | 36 (92) |
| Abortion | 16 (80) | 14 (74) | 30 (77) |
| Not getting a regular check-upa | 18 (90) | 17 (90) | 35 (90) |
| Dieta | 12 (60) | 7 (37) | 19 (49) |
| Many pregnancies | 15 (75) | 10 (53) | 25 (64) |
| Birth control pillsa | 16 (80) | 12 (63) | 28 (72) |
| Drink alcohol | 11 (95) | 9 (47) | 20 (51) |
| Vaginal trauma | 15 (75) | 14 (94) | 29 (74) |
| Genetic predisposition | |||
| Family history | 15 (75) | 11 (58) | 26 (67) |
| Other | |||
| Worry | 5 (25) | 6 (32) | 11 (28) |
| Chemicals in food | 9 (45) | 9 (47) | 18 (46) |
| Stress | 7 (35) | 4 (21) | 11 (28) |
| Fate | 5 (25) | 7 (37) | 12 (31) |
| Low incomea | 3 (15) | 2 (11) | 5 (13) |
| Symptoms and infections | |||
| Abnormal vaginal bleedinga | 16 (80) | 16 (84) | 32 (82) |
| Bloody stools | 10 (50) | 10 (53) | 20 (51) |
| Urinating frequently | 7 (35) | 8 (31) | 15 (38) |
| Pelvic rash | 13 (65) | 6 (32) | 19 (49) |
| Weight loss | 3 (15) | 6 (32) | 9 (23) |
| Human papilloma virus (HPV)a | 16 (80) | 17 (90) | 33 (85) |
| HIV infectiona | 17 (85) | 12 (63) | 29 (74) |
| Yeast infections | 17 (85) | 12 (63) | 29 (74) |
| High cholesterol | 5 (25) | 4 (21) | 9 (23) |
| High blood pressure | 4 (20) | 3 (16) | 7 (18) |
| Gonorrheaa | 19 (95) | 15 (79) | 34 (87) |
| Chlamydiaa | 15 (75) | 13 (68) | 28 (72) |
| Syphilisa | 19 (95) | 15 (79) | 34 (87) |
| Attitudes and beliefs | |||
| If cervical cancer is found early, it can be cured | 19 (95) | 18 (95) | 37 (95) |
| I would undergo cervical cancer treatment that is unpleasant or painful if it would increase my chances of living longer | 19 (95) | 19 (100) | 38 (97) |
| I would rather not know if I had cervical cancer | 3 (15) | 2 (11) | 5 (13) |
| I would be afraid to tell my husband or partner if I had cervical cancer | 4 (20) | 3 (16) | 7 (18) |
| I need a Pap smear only when I experience vaginal bleeding other than menstruation (or when I experience other symptoms) | 6 (30) | 5 (26) | 11 (28) |
| There is not much I can do to prevent cervical cancer | 3 (15) | 4 (21) | 7 (18) |
| I am very likely to get cervical cancer sometime in my lifetime | 10 (50) | 14 (74) | 24 (62) |
Columns represent numbers (percentages) agreed
a
Risk factors/symptoms generally accepted by medical profession