Human Papillomavirus in Argentina: An In-depth Study of the Cause of the Frequency of HPV in Women in Buenos Aires
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Date
2016-06
Authors
Galvin, Foley
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Human Papillomavirus in Argentina: An in-depth study of the cause of the
widespread incidence ofHPV among the women in Buenos Aires to determine why
HPV is so prevalent in this population despite many available prevention methods.
Contextual Information:
The Human Papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection
(STI) in the world, and can lead to serieus health problems such as cancer ("Human
Papillomavirus"). However, it is also easily preventable. A series of vaccines as well
as condoms can prevent the spread of this virus ("Human
Papillomavirus"). Argentina's public health care system offers free vaccinations and
contraceptives that can prevent HPV infection. Despite its preventability, HPV
infection is still common. There are over 100 different forms ofHPV (Ministerio de
Salud), and almost every sexually active person will contract some form ofHPV in his
or her lifetime ("Human Papillomavirus"). Like other diseases, such as the common
cold or flu. there is no treatment for HPV, but the body's immune system can fight off
the virus. However. unlike the cold or flu, which last only a matter of days, HPV
infection can last years, providing ample time for an infected person to pass the disease
on to a sexual partner. In addition, the symptoms of HPV may not appear for months or
years, so individuals may be unaware that they have HPV ("Virus del Papiloma
Human”). If a person’s immune system is weakened, the HPV can cause cells to
become cancerous or lead to genital warts (“Virus del Papiloma Human”). A study
conducted in Argentina found that 51.6% of women surveyed tested positive for
HPV. Of that total, 7.3% tested positive for more than one form of HPV, and more than
a quarter of them were found to have a form of HPV linked to cervical cancer (“HPV
vaccine in Argentina”).
This investigation seeks to determine why HPV remains a problem in Buenos
Aires despite its preventability.
Methodology:
This study was uses qualitative and quantitative information from primary and
secondary sources. Secondary sources made up the majority of the quantitative
information. The Ministry of Health of Buenos Aires and the Instituto National del
Cancer provided statistics on percentages of women with varying forms of HPV and
cervical cancer. Qualitative information was obtained from interviews of medical
professionals and parents with daughters. Both the qualitative and quantitative
information was analyzed to identify reasons for the high rates of HPV in Buenos
Aires.
Results:
After conducting interviews with medical professionals and parents of girls of
vaccination age, and analyzing statistics of HPV patients, I concluded that the
prevalence of HPV in Argentina can be attributed primarily to the public’s lack of
knowledge regarding HPV, and its vaccine. Misinformation and a general lack of
knowledge have made some persons wary of the vaccine. Factors such as low income
level, limited access to the public healthcare system, inconvenience, and parents’
personal bias against the vaccine seemed to play only small roles in deterring people
from the vaccine and using other forms of prevention. Despite programs designed to
educate people about HPV and to promote the HPV vaccine, many people still seem
unaware of the severity of the infection and the availability and effectiveness of the
vaccine.
Description
38 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Biology and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Science, Spring 2016.
Keywords
Human papillomavirus, HPV, Women, Buenos Aires, Cervical cancer, Sexually transmitted infection, Immune system