Understanding Community-based HIV/AIDS Service Organizations: An Invaluable Source of HPV-related Cancer Information for At-risk Populations

Abstract

To describe non-clinical HIV service providers (NCHSPs) as surrogate seekers and health information mavens for people living with HIV (PLWH), men who have sex with men (MSM), and other vulnerable populations.

In May/June 2016, we recruited 30 NCHSPs from three community-based HIV/AIDS service organizations. NCHSPs completed a 118-item self-administered, paper-and-pencil survey about HPV, cancer, and health communication. Data were analyzed using Stata/SE 14.1.

Almost all (97%) NCHSPs were surrogate seekers and had looked for HIV/AIDS (97%), STD (97%), and cancer (93%) information. Most (60%) cancer information seekers had looked for information about HPV. The Internet (97%) and healthcare providers (97%) were health information sources almost all NCHSPs trusted. Nearly all NCHSPs (93%) were completely or very confident about their ability to find health information. The mean health information mavenism score (17.4 ± 2.1) was significantly higher than the scale’s high-score cutoff (15.0) (p < 0 .001).

NCHSPs look for and share health information with the vulnerable populations (e.g., PLWH, MSM) they serve. More research is needed to understand what NCHSPs’ know and think about the health information they are sharing with vulnerable populations.

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the staff, volunteers, and community partners at AID Upstate, the South Carolina HIV Council dba Wright Wellness Center, and Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services for their time and valuable contribution made to our study. We would also like to acknowledge Dr. Roger S. Zoh (biostatistician) for providing feedback on the statistical analysis that was performed for this study.

Disclaimer statement

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health or the National Cancer Institute.

Additional information

Funding

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award number [K01CA175239].