200967 Longitudinal predictors of HPV vaccine uptake

Monday, November 9, 2009: 10:50 AM

Noel T. Brewer, PhD , Health Behavior and Health Education, UNC-Chapel Hill, School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
Sami L. Gottlieb, MD, MSPH , Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Paul L. Reiter, PhD , Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Annie-Laurie McRee, MPH , Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Nicole Liddon, PhD , Division of STD Prevention, Behavioral Interventions and Research Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Lauri E. Markowitz, MD , Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Jennifer S. Smith, PhD , Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
  
BACKGROUND: While many studies have examined beliefs about HPV vaccine, no published study has examined longitudinal predictors of HPV vaccine use. The study objective was to identify predictors of HPV vaccine uptake to inform future intervention activities.

METHODS: In fall 2007 and fall 2008, we interviewed 567 parents of adolescent girls aged 10-18 from areas of North Carolina with high rates of cervical cancer who had not received any doses of HPV vaccine at baseline. Predictors of HPV vaccine initiation were assessed by multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS: Overall, 26% (149/567) of daughters had received at least one dose of HPV vaccine by follow-up. Strong predictors of HPV vaccine initiation were believing that their daughters were in the recommended age range (OR=7.2, 95%CI:1.6-31.9) and having higher knowledge about HPV vaccine (OR=5.66, 95%CI:2.0-15.8). Other predictors were doctor's recommendation, believing HPV vaccine is safe, not feeling uncertain about the vaccine, and anticipating more regret over not vaccinating. Most daughters who had initiated HPV vaccine had either completed the 3-dose series or were on schedule to complete it.

CONCLUSIONS: Parents' beliefs about HPV vaccine (several aspects of which have been missed in early work on HPV vaccine acceptability) and doctors' recommendations play an important role in parents' decisions to vaccinate daughters. Educating parents about HPV vaccine, including its indications and safety, and encouraging doctors' recommendations are likely to increase HPV vaccine uptake.

This study was supported by the CDC and ACS.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe rates of HPV vaccine initiation and completion in the last year; and 2. Identify longitudinal predictors of HPV vaccine initiation.

Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Immunizations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: My Lab has worked in this area for several years, generating 10+ publications on the topic.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Merck HPV vaccine acceptability Received grant

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.

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