Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #104964

Isabel Cristina Garces, MPH, Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 631 Medical Towers, 1717 11th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205, 205 975 7615, isabelg@uab.edu and Isabel C. Scarinci, PhD, MPH, Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, MT 609, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294.

This study examined the contextual variables associated with acceptability of preventive Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination among Latina immigrants through three focus groups (n=22 women). Around 77% (17) of the participants were Mexican immigrants, between the ages of 17 and 36 (M=26.3). The mean length of time they had been in the United States and Alabama were 3.5 and 3 years respectively; 59% of them were married; 82% had children, and 95.5% of them did not have health insurance. Around 64% of the participants have never heard about HPV and the ones who have heard about it were not sure what it was. After a brief presentation about cervical cancer and HPV, participants were probed about acceptability of a preventive HPV vaccine. Women indicated that the presentation had an impact on their willingness to obtain the vaccine. All women reported that HPV is a virus with serious consequences and therefore all of them expressed that they would be willing to get the vaccine. The opinion of the family or partner in this matter was not a concern; participants indicated that they would do it for their own well being. Participants indicated that some of the barriers to get it could be: cost, side effects, and lack of information. Participants were emphatic in saying that in order to get other women to get the vaccine, more than one source of information is needed: educational seminars, doctor's office, television, churches, and advice from other women that know about the topic.

Supported by the National Cancer Institute, grant # U01 CA86128

Learning Objectives:

• Identify some of the sociocultural factors associated with HPV vaccine acceptability among Latina immigrants

Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Immunizations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.