Contraceptive use and pap smear outcomes of women in a U.S.-Mexico border population

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer. The Papanicolaou (Pap) screening tool has reduced the mortality rate due to cervical cancer over the past 40 years. Although cervical cancer has multifactorial etiology, human papilloma virus (HPV) has been found to be the main etiologic agent. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus, and contraceptive methods may have a protective or detrimental effect on its transmission. In this study, data about current contraceptive use and Pap smear outcomes were analyzed on 2436 women age 15-79 from the U.S. and Mexico living along the U.S.-Mexico border. Results showed that more U.S. women used contraceptives than Mexican women. The most prevalent contraceptive in use by U.S. women was oral contraceptive pill, (OCP) followed by condoms. The most prevalent contraceptive in use by Mexican women was the intrauterine device (IUD) followed by the OCP. U.S. women had higher rates of barrier contraceptive use, and lower rates of abnormal Pap smears compared to Mexican women. Health education and promotion that focuses on demographic factors as well as contraceptive practices can assist in targeting educational campaigns in an culturally appropriate manner in this population.