Parental intent to initiate and complete the human papillomavirus vaccine series in the USA: a nationwide, cross-sectional survey

Objective. To compare knowledge and attitudes of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the vaccine between different cultures of African descent.Methods. A cross-sectional survey of 555 African-Americans and Afro-Caribbeans residing in the US and the Bahamas (BHM) was conducted.Results. General knowledge about HPV and the HPV vaccine differed between the two countries significantly. Bahamian respondents were less likely to have higher numbers of correct knowledge answers when compared to Americans (Adjusted Odds Ratio [Adj. OR] 0.47, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.30–0.75). Older age, regardless of location, was also associated with answering fewer questions correctly (Adj. OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.40–0.92). Attitudes related to HPV vaccination were similar between the US and BHM, but nearly 80% of BHM respondents felt that children should not be able to receive the vaccine without parental consent compared to 57% of American respondents.Conclusions. Grave lack of knowledge, safety and cost concerns, and influence of parental restrictions may negatively impact vaccine uptake among African-American and Afro-Caribbean persons. Interventions to increase the vaccine uptake in the Caribbean must include medical provider and parental involvement. Effective strategies for education and increasing vaccine uptake in BHM are crucial for decreasing cervical cancer burden in the Caribbean.

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Sexual Health Variables and the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

Californian Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.32398/cjhp.v7i2.2021 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 129-138

Author(s):

Victoria Barry ◽

Shannon B. Myers ◽

Amy E. Sgrenci ◽

Megan Lavery ◽

Deirdra Frum ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Papillomavirus ◽

Pap Smear ◽

Hpv Vaccination ◽

Transmitted Disease ◽

The United States ◽

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Status Seeking

Recent strides have been made in developing vaccines to prevent contraction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is currently the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the United States. This study looked to investigate seven sexually relevant variables hypothesized to be related to a young woman's choice to receive the Gardasil® vaccine in order to prevent HPV contraction via a cross sectional survey. In a sample of 77 undergraduate women, we investigated the relationship between receipt of Gardasil® and the following variables: knowledge regarding HPV, relationship status, seeking gynecological services, having received an abnormal PAP smear, sexual activity status, number of sexual partners, and concern about contracting HPV. Logistical regression analysis and independent groups t-test revealed that none of these factors were related to actual receipt of the HPV vaccine in this sample. These results suggest the need for more research regarding potential practical barriers to HPV vaccination.

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