ASPO Abstracts
Stagnating rates of healthcare providers' recommendation for HPV vaccine in the US adult population
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
Puropose: Although a leading nation for HPV vaccine's introduction and promotion worldwide, the
United States lag behind many high income countries with regard to HPV vaccination uptake. In light of this, the
2012 report of the President's Cancer Panel highlighted the overriding contribution of missed clinical opportunities
to the suboptimal HPV vaccination coverage. This urgent call to action was then renewed by the Panel in its 2018
report. However, whether rates of provider recommendation for HPV vaccine in the US adult population have
increased remains unclear.
Methods: Using data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) from 2012 to 2018 (HINTS4
cycle 2, HINTS4 cycle 4, HINTS5 cycle1, and HINTS5 cycle 2), we determined trends in the prevalence of
provider recommendation for HPV vaccination, as well as its gender, racial and urban-rural variations among US
residents eligible for HPV vaccine or living with age-eligible individuals.
Results: A total of 1,415, 1,476, 1,208 and 1,344 respondents to the HINTS 4 cycle 2, HINTS 4 cycle 4, HINTS 5
cycle 1 and HINTS 5 cycle 2, respectively, were eligible to this study. In this population, the prevalence of provider
recommendation for HPV vaccine decreased from 25.6% in 2012 to 23.0% in 2018. This prevalence was higher
among females compared to males (35.0% versus 15.9% in 2012; 29.4% versus 15.5% in 2018). According to
race/ethnicity, it moderately decreased from 27.8% in 2012 to 22.4% in 2018 among non-Hispanic Whites, and
from 28.0% in 2012 to 21.6% in 2018 among Hispanics; and increased from 21.6% in 2012 to 35.1% in 2018
among non-Hispanic Blacks. The urban-rural difference found (26.2% among urban dwellers versus 22.1% among
rural dwellers in 2012), gradually decreased over time (23.3% versus 21.1% in 2018).
Conclusion: Despite recent progress, our findings indicate stagnating rates of provider recommendation for HPV
vaccine in the US adult population, and persistent gender and racial disparities in this intervention. To accelerate
HPV vaccination uptake in the country, immediate actions to enhance provider recommendation for HPV vaccine
are needed, especially among males, Hispanics, non-Hispanic Whites, and rural dwellers.
Keywords: HPV vaccination, healthcare provider, recommendation, disparities, rates