Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine acceptance in Ohio Appalachia

Background: Certain population groups still experience higher cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates. Women living in Appalachia, a region defined by geographic proximity to the Appalachian Mountains, are one group of women that suffer a disproportionate burden from this cancer.

Objective: To gain an understanding of the beliefs, attitudes, and acceptability of the HPV vaccine at the individual and community level among residents of Ohio Appalachia.

Methods: Focus groups were conducted with women (18-26 years old), parents of young girls, healthcare providers, and community leaders.

Results: Twenty-three focus groups were conducted in 8 of the 29 Ohio Appalachia counties. Participants (n=114) were from 14 different counties and represented the 4 geographic regions of Ohio Appalachia. Key findings were:

1) most residents learned about the vaccine from the television commercial and know HPV is associated with sexual behavior, 2) many lack knowledge about the purpose of Pap tests, HPV, and the vaccine, 3) many women reported a history of having multiple sexual partners, a history of smoking, and being stressed, 4) women aware of their positive HPV status admitted to having previous abnormal Pap tests and wanted information about the vaccine, and 5) there was mixed acceptance of the vaccine within and between the different focus groups.

Conclusion: Valuable information raised by the participants will be used in the development of educational programs focused on HPV and the HPV vaccine to women and parents of young girls living in Ohio Appalachia.