Racial Disparities in Cervical Cancer Screening: Implications for Relieving Cervical Cancer Burden in Asian American Pacific Islander Women

BACKGROUND: While cervical cancer is considered preventable and the overall Papanicolaou (Pap) test utilization rate has gradually increased in the United States, certain Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) women consistently rate lower in Pap test receipt compared with non-Latina whites (NLWs), leading to a higher cervical cancer mortality rate for various AAPI women. Few studies, however, have focused on female AAPI college students' cervical cancer screening behavior in comparison with NLW students. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate cervical cancer screening behaviors among college-aged females by (1) determining AAPIs' and NLWs' screening rates, (2) assessing their knowledge about Pap tests, and (3) discovering factors associated with Pap test receipt. Andersen's Health Behavioral Model was used as a theoretical framework. METHODS: Using a simple random sampling strategy, 2270 female students (15% AAPIs, 85% NLWs) completed an online health survey. RESULTS: Results indicate AAPI students had significantly lower Pap test knowledge and Pap test receipt rate compared with NLW students. Age, nativity, human papillomavirus vaccination completion, frequency of obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) visits, and the number of sexual partners were associated with AAPI students' lower rate of Pap test receipt, whereas the Pap test receipt rate for NLW students was influenced by the same factors with the addition of having increased prior knowledge about Pap tests. CONCLUSION: Results show the importance of OB/GYN visits in obtaining Pap tests for AAPI and NLW students. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: Health practitioners should pay attention to students' race/ethnicity in their practice and provide corresponding ethnic group-specific preventive care.