19. Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus, Human Papillomavirus Vaccination, and other Sexually Transmitted Infections among Individuals with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome

Autor: Jessica Shim, Marc R. Laufer, Amy C. Lossie, Frances Grimstad
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. 34:246-247
ISSN: 1083-3188
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2021.02.023
Popis: Background Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a congenital condition typified by underdevelopment of the female reproductive tract. Much of the MRKH literature addresses surgical options and psychosocial aspects, however little is known about the routine gynecologic care of individuals with MRKH. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of and prior counseling on genital infection and prevention in a sample of people with MRKH. Methods The Beautiful You MRKH Foundation disseminated an IRB-approved, web-based survey through social media. Participants were eligible if they had previously been diagnosed with MRKH and were 18 years and older. Survey content included past gynecologic counseling, sexually transmitted genital infection knowledge, and sexual history. Questions assessing knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and sexually transmitted infections (STI) were adapted from validated tools. For unanswered survey questions, an analysis was conducted according to the number of responses for each question. Results Eighty respondents consented to the study, mean age 30 ± 9 years. The majority (73%, 58/80) never received HPV vaccination counseling. Of the respondents, 38 out of 80 (48%) never received any HPV vaccine, 10 (13%) were unsure, 6 (8%) received at least one dose, and 26 (33%) completed the vaccination series. The most common reasons for not being vaccinated were lack of knowledge about the vaccine (22%, 8/37), did not think it was necessary (14%, 5/37), not sexually active (11%, 4/37), and did not want to receive the vaccine (11%, 4/37). The majority (61%, 49/80) also did not receive counseling on other STI. Sixty respondents completed the knowledge portion of the survey. HPV knowledge was low; 13 did not think they were a candidate for the HPV vaccine (22%) and 22 were unsure (37%). Less than half of respondents thought the HPV vaccine could help prevent anal cancer (15%), genital warts (30%), and vulvar/vaginal cancer (48%). Twenty-four respondents (40%) thought routine pap smear screening should be performed among MRKH patients, and 20 (33%) were unsure. The majority responded that sexually active persons with MRKH should be routinely tested for STI (87%) and use condoms (82%). Sixty-four percent of 56 respondents were undecided or unhappy with the gynecologic care they have received, and 75% strongly wished their providers knew more about MRKH. Conclusions The majority of individuals with MRKH did not receive adequate HPV, HPV vaccination, and STI counseling. As a result, the majority did not receive the vaccine. These data indicate that there is a lack of appropriate gynecological care for people with MRKH.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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