Table 2.
Differences in knowledge of Pap test and HPV test in a sample of women aged 18-66 who reported having a Pap test at least once (N = 630), United States, June 2017a
| Characteristic | Pap Test Knowledgeb | HPV Knowledgeb | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Score (95% CI or SD) c | t or F (P Value) | Mean Scorec (95% CI or SD) | t or F (P Value) | |
| Age, y | ||||
| 25-34 | 5.5 (5.2-5.8)d | F = 4.44 (.004) | 5.9 (5.4-6.3) | F = 5.07 (.002) |
| 35-44 | 6.0 (5.7-6.2) | 6.1 (5.7-6.4)d | ||
| 45-54 | 6.0 (5.8-6.2) | 5.7 (5.3-6.1) | ||
| 55-66 | 6.2 (6.0-6.4)d | 5.2 (4.9-5.5)d | ||
| Education | ||||
| ≤High school diploma | 6.0 (5.8-6.2)d | F = 1.30 (.28) | 5.3 (4.9-5.6) | F = 4.70 (.003) |
| Some college | 5.9 (5.6-6.1)d | 5.5 (5.1-5.8) | ||
| 2-year college degree | 6.1 (5.8-6.3) | 5.6 (5.2-6.0) | ||
| ≥4-year college degree | 6.2 (5.9-6.4)d | 6.2 (5.8-6.5) | ||
| Annual household income, $ | ||||
| <30 000 | 5.8 (1.5) | t = –3.77 (<.001) | 5.5 (2.2) | t = –2.02 (.04) |
| ≥30 000 | 6.3 (1.3) | 5.9 (2.2) | ||
| Ethnicity | ||||
| Hispanic | 5.8 (1.4) | t = –1.83 (.61) | 5.4 (2.2) | t = –1.11 (.26) |
| Non-Hispanic | 6.1 (1.4) | 5.7 (2.3) | ||
| Racee | ||||
| White | 6.1 (1.4) | t = 3.20 (.002) | 5.7 (2.2) | t = 1.92 (.06) |
| Black | 5.7 (1.4) | 5.3 (2.2) | ||
| Type of health insurance | ||||
| Government-provided | 6.1 (1.4) | t = 1.88 (.06) | 5.6 (2.2) | t = 0.65 (.52) |
| Private | 5.7 (1.5) | 5.5 (2.5) | ||
| Received a Pap test in previous 5 years | ||||
| Yes | 6.1 (1.4) | t = 1.31 (.19) | — | |
| No | 5.9 (1.6) | |||
| Received an HPV test in previous 5 years | ||||
| Yes | — | 6.4 (1.7) | t = 6.34 (<.001) | |
| No | 5.2 (2.4) | |||
Abbreviations: HPV, human papillomavirus; Pap, Papanicolaou; SD, standard deviation.
aData source: A Qualtrics online survey assessing cervical cancer screening knowledge, behaviors, experiences, and preferences for communication in a national sample, conducted by the study team.
bPap test knowledge and HPV knowledge were measured separately by using a 7-item sum scale adapted from similar scales.21-23 For each topic, participants were asked to read statements about Pap tests and indicate whether they believed each statement was true or false or they did not know. The scale ranged from 1 to 8, with higher scores indicating greater knowledge.
cOne-way analysis of variance was used to test the differences in knowledge based on age groups and level of education. Independent-samples t tests were used to test the difference in knowledge scores based on race, ethnicity, income, type of health insurance, and cervical cancer screening behavior. Significance was set at the P < .05 level.
dKnowledge scores were significantly different among these groups, according to Tukey honest significant difference post hoc tests.
eWhite and black race includes both Hispanic and non-Hispanic ethnicities. Three women identified as American Indian/Alaska Native, 3 as Asian, and 21 as “other” race. These women (n = 27) were excluded from the comparison analyses based on race because of small numbers.