Beliefs and Knowledge Related to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine among African Americans and African Immigrants Young Adults

Background: Despite the disparate Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection rates among sexually active black young adults, HPV vaccine uptake remains low among this population. This study aimed to explore HPV beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge among black young adults and provide recommendations on ways to improve vaccine uptake.Methods: We used a mixed-method, convergent design to conduct five focus groups and administered a 40-item electronic survey that was developed with Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs. We assessed HPV and vaccine knowledge, barriers, and attitudes toward vaccination. We analyzed quantitative data using descriptive statistics and bivariate methods. Focus group transcripts were analyzed using content analysis. Results were integrated to obtain a better understanding of the topic.Results: Forty individuals participated in the study. The mean age was 22.2±4.5 years and 55% identified as African immigrants. Integrated data revealed themes mapped to relevant HBM constructs. Almost one third (32.5%) of participants were unaware of their susceptibility to HPV infection and its severity. From focus group discussions, the majority (75%) believed that vaccines are beneficial. Major cues to action include promoting HPV vaccine uptake via community wide informational sessions, provider recommendation, and social and mass media campaigns. Conclusion: Barriers to vaccine uptake, limited HPV knowledge, and lack of vaccine recommendation are important factors contributing to low vaccine uptake among black young adults. Interventions to decrease barriers to HPV vaccination, increase HPV knowledge, address misconceptions, and unfavorable beliefs are needed to promote to promote HPV vaccine uptake.

Determinants of HPV-vaccination uptake and subgroups with a lower uptake in the Netherlands

Background In the Netherlands, the HPV-vaccine uptake was 52% during the 2009 catch-up campaign (birth cohorts 1993–1996). This increased to 61% in the regular immunization program (birth cohorts 2000–2001). However for birth cohorts 2003–2004 the uptake declined to 45.5%. With this study we aimed to gain insight into social, economic and cultural determinants that are associated with HPV-vaccination uptake and which subgroups with a lower HPV-vaccination uptake can be identified. In addition, we investigated whether the influence of these factors changed over time. Methods To study the determinants of HPV-vaccine uptake we performed a database study using different aggregation levels, i.e. individual level, postal code level and municipality level. All Dutch girls who were invited for HPV-vaccination through the National Immunization Program in the years 2012, 2014 and 2017 (i.e. birth cohorts 1999, 2001 and 2004, respectively) were included in the study population. We conducted multilevel logistic regression analyses to analyze the influence of the determinants on HPV-vaccination uptake, taking into account that the delivery of HPV-vaccine was nested within municipalities. Results Results showed that in particular having not received a MMR-vaccination, having one or two parents born in Morocco or Turkey, living in an area with lower socioeconomic status and higher municipal voting proportions for Christian political parties or populist parties with liberal-conservative views were associated with a lower HPV-vaccination uptake. Besides some changes in political preferences of the population and changes in the association between HPV uptake and urbanization level we found no clear determinants which could possibly explain the decrease in the HPV-vaccination uptake. Conclusions In this study we identified current social, economic and cultural determinants that are associated with HPV-vaccination uptake and which low-vaccination subgroups can be identified. However, no clear determinants were found which could explain the decrease in the HPV-vaccination uptake. Tailored information and/or consultation for groups that are associated with a lower HPV-vaccination uptake might help to increase the HPV-vaccination uptake in the future.

HPV vaccination and factors influencing vaccine uptake among people of Indian ancestry living in the United States.

126 Background: Despite HPV vaccine availability, approximately one-third of annual global cervical cancer deaths occur in India. This may be related to cultural norms that lead to vaccine hesitancy. We sought to determine whether people of Indian ancestry (POIA) who move to the US continue to have disproportionately lower HPV vaccination rates than the rest of the US population and factors that influence HPV vaccine uptake in this group. Methods: The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is the largest source of health information for Americans and is designed to be representative of the entire civilian non-institutionalized US population. We utilized the 2018 NHIS to compare HPV vaccine initiation and completion rates between POIA and the general US population and factors correlating with HPV vaccine uptake in this group. Results: There were 17,004 people, representing 185,065,802 in the population, who were between the ages of 18-64 and who responded to questions regarding racial ancestry and HPV vaccination. Of this cohort, 1.69% identified themselves as being of Indian ancestry. Compared to other racial groups, POIA had a significantly lower rate of HPV vaccination (8.18% vs. 12.16%, 14.70%, 16.07%, and 12.41%, in White, Black, Other Asian, and those of other/mixed ancestry, respectively, p = 0.003). However, of those who received one HPV shot there was no difference in vaccine series completion between racial groups (3.17% vs. 4.27%, 3.51%, 4.31%, and 5.04% for POIA vs. White, Black, Other Asian, and those of other/mixed ancestry, respectively, p = 0.465). Among POIA, younger individuals and those who were single were more likely to obtain HPV vaccination (vaccination rates of 38.12%, 6.45% and 1.79% for ages 18-25, 26-45, and 46-64, respectively, p = 0.018, and 29.53% vs. 3.11% for single vs. married, respectively, p = 0.006). All individuals who were vaccinated had some form of health insurance (p = 0.020). Those born in the US had a higher rate of vaccination than those who were not (p = 0.019); however, duration of residence in the US did not influence vaccination rates among POIA (p = 0.502). While high levels of English proficiency were associated with a higher vaccination rate (p = 0.029), education status was not correlated (p = 0.231). Interestingly, both male and female POIA had equivalent rates of vaccination (3.12% and 2.81%, respectively, p = 0.949). Conclusions: POIA are significantly less likely to receive HPV vaccination than the general US population but are equally likely to complete the vaccine series if initiated. Age, insurance status, being born in the US, English speaking proficiency, and marital status significantly influence HPV vaccine initiation among POIA. These data suggest that public health measures promoting HPV vaccination among POIA immigrants may significantly improve vaccination rates among this population.

Attitudinal Correlates of HPV Vaccination in College Women

This study examined associations between general attitudes toward seeking medical care, attitudes about vaccines/fear of shots, and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake and intentions in college women. Hypothesized associations were framed by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Participants ( N = 330, mean age = 18.9 years, 75% White) completed a one-time survey. The majority (61%; n = 201) had received ≥1 HPV vaccine dose. Hierarchical logistic regression examined relationships between attitudes and vaccine uptake. Pearson correlation coefficients and Kruskal-Wallis tests examined associations between attitudes and vaccine intentions. Results were partially consistent with the TPB. In the final model, perceived benefits, but not fear of shots, were associated with vaccine uptake. Among the unvaccinated, perceived benefits, but not fear of shots, were associated with vaccine intentions. Provider recommendation was the strongest predictor of vaccine uptake. Findings suggest interventions incorporating discussion of perceived benefits and provider recommendation may improve HPV vaccine receipt among college women.

Vacteens.org: A Mobile Web app to Improve HPV Vaccine Uptake

U.S. HPV vaccine uptake remains below the Healthy People 2030 goal of 80% series completion. Parental concerns and misinformation about the efficacy and safety of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine remain, and may be addressed by digital interventions tailored to their concerns. Reported here are results from a small scale randomized trial testing a mobile web app for parents and their adolescent daughters (ages 11–14 years) encouraging HPV vaccination in New Mexico, an ethnically-diverse U.S. state.Methods: A clinic-cluster randomized trial where pediatric clinics (n = 9) were recruited and randomized, and parent-adolescent pairs (n = 82) within clinics received either the Vacteens.org/Vacunadolescente.org mobile web app or Usual and Customary (UC) HPV Vaccination information. Parents completed online surveys at baseline and 3-months. Daughters' HPV vaccine data were collected from the New Mexico State Immunization Information System 1 year post baseline.Results: Three month survey results found Vacteens.org/Vacunadolescente.org parents to have higher positive HPV vaccine beliefs, informed decision making, intent to vaccinate and vaccine confidence outcomes than UC parents. HPV vaccine data found higher first dose HPV vaccination (Pearson χ2 = 6.13, p = 0.013, Vacteens.org/Vacunadolescente.org group 59.4%, UC group 40.6%), and higher HPV vaccination series completion (Pearson χ2 = 6.49, p = 0.011, Vacteens.org/Vacunadolescente.org group 68.4%, UC group 31.6%).Conclusions: The small trial results showed the Vacteens.org/Vacunadolescente.org web app prompted positive vaccine-related attitudes and beliefs, and more HPV vaccination initiation and series completion. Mobile web apps can make decision-making tools for HPV vaccination widely available on digital platforms, reducing vaccine hesitancy, and confusion and increase HPV vaccine uptake.

Exploring Inequalities in HPV Vaccine Uptake among Cape Verdean Immigrant and Portuguese Native Women

Based on data from the FEMINA study, this communication aims to explore inequalities in HPV vaccine uptake. Results highlighted differences between the Portuguese and the Cape Verdean women: 97% vs. 67% had heard about the HPV vaccine; 30% vs. 9% had been vaccinated, and 71% vs. 82% had reported a lack of medical recommendation as a major reason for not having been vaccinated. Further research on the mechanisms that operate in the production of health disparities is needed to promote equity-focused interventions.