Women in food insecure, rural Appalachian households participate in risky sexual behaviors: a pilot study

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main causative agent of cervical cancer. This cross-sectional survey examined differences in HPV status and risky sexual behaviors between food-secure and food-insecure adult females living in rural Appalachia (n = 153). Most had HPV-negative test results [n = 139 (91.4%)]. Overall, 49 participants (35.5%) had low Risky Sexual Behavior scores, while 28 (20.3%) and 61 (44.2%), respectively, had medium- and high-risk levels. Non-fully food-secure participants had significantly higher scores, compared to their fully food-secure counterparts (p < 0.001). Women living in food-insecure households may be at risk for riskier sexual behaviors, which may contribute to the higher cervical cancer rates in Appalachia.