177611 Culture and acculturation: Examining factors that are associated with acceptance of human papillomavirus vaccines among Latinos

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Julie Kornfeld, MPH, Phd Cand , Cancer Information Service - Coastal Region, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Coral Gables, FL
Erin Kobetz, PhD, MPH , Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Leonard Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Hosanna Soler-Vila, Ph, D , Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Leonard Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Glenn Allen, MPH , Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Robin C. Vanderpool, DrPH, CHES , Cancer Information Service - Mid South Region, University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Control Program, Lexington, KY
Latino communities in the US experience an increased incidence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the primary risk factor for cervical carcinogenesis. Increasing availability of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine (GARDASIL) may help attenuate this disparity. However, to effectively promote the vaccine to age-eligible Latino women and their parents, it is first essential to understand socio-cultural factors associated with vaccine acceptability among this population sub-group. This presentation will highlight results from a cross-sectional study examining HPV vaccine acceptability among a national sample of Spanish-speaking callers (n=500) to the National Cancer Institute's (NCI), Cancer Information Service (CIS) Spanish Call Center. Female callers were asked to participate in a survey, which gauged, among other constructs, ethnic identity and acculturation; knowledge of cervical cancer, HPV and other risk factors for disease; as well as, HPV vaccine acceptability. Examination of such factors has the potential to inform the scope and content of future cervical cancer-focused health communication initiatives for Latinos. This presentation will offer insight for how to appropriately tailor, culturally-relevant, communication interventions to increase HPV vaccine acceptability among Latinos. With increasing multiculturalism in the United States, it is essential to understand the diverse perspectives about health and disease prevention between Latino women of different levels of acculturation, educational attainment, years in the US, and ethnic identity.

Learning Objectives:
1.Identify cultural factors associated with Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) vaccine acceptability among Latinos. 2.Discuss unique health communication strategies to enhance vaccine acceptability among Latinos.

Keywords: Latino Health, Health Communications

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: This project is my dissertation work and is an extension of both my student and professional work in the area of health communication and Latinos. Additionally I direct the NCI's CIS Spanish Call Center and have significant experience in sutdying health communication needs of Latinos.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.