ASPO Abstracts
Assessing Awareness and Interest in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among Adults Ages 18 - 45: A Cancer Center Catchment Area Analysis
Category: Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2022
Abstract Body:
Purpose: The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine prevents up to 90% of HPV-associated cancers and diseases and is now approved for adults ages 27-45. Given the low uptake of the vaccine in the older age groups, it is important to understand current beliefs, attitudes, and intentions to vaccinate against HPV, to develop appropriate messages promoting vaccination in this population.Methods: We utilized data from the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) catchment area survey, a population-based survey of 1508 residents in our catchment area. A subset of questions focused on factors influencing HPV vaccine perceptions and intentions and was administered to those up to age 45. Questions, mirrored from the HINTS survey, included awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine, as well as perceived susceptibility to HPV and intentions to vaccinate against HPV. We also included measures of age, gender, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, relationship status, receipt of a flu shot, vaccine hesitancy, discrimination, and information seeking behavior. Results: Among the full sample, 662 (44%) were between the ages of 18-45. Most were 27-45 years old (70.8%); identified as female (66.8%); and reported their race as White (61.4%). Of the total sample, 12.9% (N=85) were likely and 34.9% (N= 230) were very likely to vaccinate against HPV. Compared to married respondents, non-married individuals were less likely to know of HPV (p = 0.001) and less likely to know of the HPV vaccine (p < 0.001) but had a greater intent to get the vaccine (p < 0.001) which makes this cohort a desirable target for intervention. Additionally, non-White respondents were less likely to know of HPV (p < 0.001), less likely to perceive themselves as likely to get HPV (p = 0.003), and less likely to vaccinate against HPV (p = 0.023). Conclusions: Less than half of age-eligible adults are interested in the HPV vaccine. We identified several variables that influence perceptions about both HPV and HPV vaccination. To effectively focus our efforts to increase HPV vaccination rates, we must consider these factors to identify populations that would benefit from more education to make informed decisions about vaccination and health.
Keywords: Human papillomavirus (HPV); Human papillomavirus (HPV)vaccine; vaccine intentions