Judith Ann Ebbert

• MPH, RN, PhD Candidate
• University of South Florida

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of on-site complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) education sessions to maximize quality of life for women with ovarian cancer. The pilot intervention consisted of four weekly sessions, each focusing the techniques and benefits of a particular CAM topic (e.g., nutrition, massage, r...

Background: The impact of the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear on the prevention of cervical cancer is one of the greatest public health success stories. However, it is not clear if women understand the purpose of the Pap smear despite recent advancements and national attention over cervical cancer prevention. The purpose of this study was to examine Pap...

To report psychosocial differences between self-reported HPV-positive and HPV-negative Florida men. Men (n=536) in an HPV natural-history study completed a cross-sectional survey (2007-2010). Most participants were white, non-Hispanic, and unmarried with some college education. HPV knowledge was high overall. HPV-positive men reported more negative...

Background: HPV has become identified as a female-only issue, since its role in cervical cancer was established years ago, and the HPV vaccine was initially approved for females-only. Its role in men's health is not well-defined, despite recent vaccine approval for men. We compare findings from four HPV studies in men. Methods: Men in a longitudina...

Introduction: Men's roles in cervical cancer prevention are both in the transmission of HPV, the fundamental cause of cervical cancer, and as possible sources of influence in women's knowledge, access, and utilization of preventive health services. Men's knowledge of screening tools has not been widely explored; thus, this study's purpose was to id...

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections are often socially stigmatizing. Those infected may experience feelings of shame and guilt, which can have deleterious effects on mental health. The objective of the current study was to identify psychosocial correlates of HPV-related stigma among men testing positive for HPV. Methods: Men participating...

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection, can cause cervical cancer and is associated with anal, penile, vulvar, and oral cancers. Cervical cancer screening, the Pap test, can detect cervical lesions before they become cancerous. Objectives: Examine associations of HPV-related stigma and negative emot...

Background: Women and men in the U.S. experience high rates of HPV, yet little is known about differences in emotional responses to HPV infection. Purpose: To examine gender differences in psychosocial responses to HPV test results. Methods: As part of a natural history study of HPV in men, psychosocial responses to receiving an HPV-positive te...

Background: Many women's health issues are greatly impacted across the lifespan by the interaction between oral and systemic health (e.g., pregnancy related gingivitis and pregnancy outcomes). Oral Health Providers (OHP) and Medical Providers (MP) are both critically important, but typically do not interact as part of a women's health care team....

Defective microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis contributes to the development and progression of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). In this study, we examined the hypothesis that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in miRNA biogenesis genes may influence EOC risk. In an initial investigation, 318 SNPs in 18 genes were evaluated among 1,815 EOC cases and 1,9...

Background: Women's health emerged as a national priority late in the 20th century. Women's health issues include those that a) are unique to, more prevalent in, or more serious in women; (b) have risk factors and health outcomes specific to women; and/or c) require interventions unique to women. One area of women's health that has received scant a...

Background: Despite the high prevalence of HPV, men typically have not played a role in HPV education/prevention. Little is known about men's disclosure of HPV test results to sexual partners. Purpose: Determine factors associated with men's disclosure of HPV test results to sexual partners. Methods: Men in a psychosocial study of responses to HPV...

Background: Psychoneuroimmunology focuses on the link between psychological and physiological processes and suggests psychological variables could affect immune function. Persistent HPV infections are a cause of cervical cancer and are associated with oral, penile, and vulvar cancers. Few studies have evaluated factors associated with HPV persisten...