“Easy women get it”: pre-existing stigma associated with HPV and cervical cancer in a low-resource setting prior to implementation of an HPV screen-and-treat program
Authors: Morse Rachel M. , Brown Joanna , Gage Julia C. , Prieto Bryn A. , Jurczuk Magdalena , Matos Andrea , Vásquez Vásquez Javier , Reátegui Reyles Ríos , Meza-Sanchez Graciela , Córdova Luis Antonio Díaz , Gravitt Patti E. , Tracy J. Kathleen , Paz-Soldan Valerie A. ,   the Proyecto Precancer Study Group, Carhuaza Iris , Carrillo Jara Lita E. , del Carmen Caruhapoma María , Del Carpio-Morgan Meda , Daza Grandez Henrry , Figueredo Escudero Magaly , Garcia Satalay Esther Y. , Gilman Sarah D. , Gonzales Díaz Karina , Jerónimo José , Jorges Alcedo , Kohler-Smith Anna , Kosek Margaret , Ladrón de Guevarra Gabriela , Lenin de Cuadro Daniel , Lopez Liñán Renso , Matos Orbegozo Andrea , Marín Jaime , Meza Graciela , Noble Helen E. , Palacios Victor A. , Ríos López E. Jennifer , Rivas Patricia , Román Karina , Rositch Anne F. , Santos-Ortiz Carlos , Silva Delgado Hermann F. , Soto Sandra , Tangoa Nolberto , Vásquez del Aguila Giannina , Zevallos Karen 
Published: December 2023

Background

Cervical cancer is preventable with vaccination and early detection and treatment programs. However, for these programs to work as intended, stigma related to HPV and cervical cancer must be understood and addressed. We explored pre-existing stigma associated with HPV and cervical cancer in the public healthcare system and community of a low-resource setting prior to implementation of an HPV screen-and-treat program.

Methods

This study conducted thematic analysis of data collected during implementation of a novel HPV screen-and-treat system for cervical cancer early detection and treatment in Iquitos, Peru. We included 35 semi-structured interviews (19 health professionals, 16 women with cervical precancer or cancer), eight focus groups (70 community women), one workshop (14 health professionals), 210 counseling observations (with 20 nurse-midwives), and a document review. We used the Socio-Ecological Model to organize the analysis.

Results

We identified three main themes: 1. the implication that women are to blame for their HPV infection through characterizations of being easy or promiscuous, 2. the implication that men are to blame for women’s HPV infections through being considered careless or unfaithful, 3. HPV is shameful, embarrassing, and something that should be hidden from others. Consequently, in some cases, women refrained from getting screened for HPV. These themes were seen at the individual level among women, relationship level among women, men, and family members, community level among healthcare staff, and societal level within components of cervical cancer guidelines and male chauvinism.

Conclusions

Cervical cancer early detection and treatment programs in limited resource settings must address stigma entrenched throughout the entire healthcare system and community in order to sustainably and successfully implement and scale-up new programs. Interventions to tackle this stigma can incorporate messages about HPV infections and latency to lessen the focus on the influence of sexual behavior on HPV acquisition, and instead, promote screening and treatment as paramount preventative measures.