Great disparities exist in women’s health outcomes in rural indigenous communities in Guatemala; indigenous women are less likely to utilize family planning and cervical cancer screening services. This pilot study assessed baseline women’s health knowledge and the effects of a comprehensive women’s health course on women’s health knowledge and behaviors. From February to November 2013, 61 participants in a seven-week language-appropriate women’s health curriculum were evaluated before and after the course using a 10-item knowledge assessment. Cervical cancer screening and contraceptive utilization rates were assessed by self-report before and after the course. Several women’s health knowledge deficits were noted: belief that contraception causes cancer, inability to name symptoms of STIs, lack of understanding of pap smears, and lack of familiarity with condoms. The average pre-test score was 54.6%; increasing to 83.7% on the post-test (p<0.0001). 79% had received a pap smear prior to the course; this increased to 92% at the post-test (p=0.013). 53% had utilized contraception prior to the course; at the time of the post-test the percentage was 54% (p=1). This study reveals important patterns in women’s health beliefs in rural Guatemala, and shows that a seven-week curriculum was effective in improving scores on a knowledge assessment.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:harvard.edu/oai:dash.harvard.edu:1/12407618 |
| Date | 07 July 2014 |
| Creators | Messmer, Sarah Elizabeth |
| Publisher | Harvard University |
| Source Sets | Harvard University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or Dissertation, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | open |
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