216599 African American parents' attitudes toward HPV vaccination

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 8:30 AM - 8:48 AM

Vetta Sanders-Thompson, PhD, MPH , George Warren Brown School of Social Work & Health Communication Research Laboratory, Washington University in St. Louis, St.. Louis, MO
Lauren D. Arnold, PhD, MPH , School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO
Sheri R. Notaro, PhD, MPH , Graduate School of Arts and Sciences & Center on Urban Research and Public Policy, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Background: African Americans suffer disparate rates of human papillomavirus infection and cervical cancer incidence and mortality. They also may be less willing to undergo HPV vaccination. To address these disparities, it is important to understand factors that influence vaccine acceptability. Aims: To determine HPV and HPV vaccination knowledge; assess vaccination acceptability; and describe characteristics, cultural attitudes, and social/environmental factors that affect vaccine intention among African American parents. Methods: A community sample of 200 African American parents of girls aged nine to 17 completed a survey about HPV and HPV vaccination. A subset of 30 parents completed individual interviews. Results: Sixty-two percent (n=124) of participants were aware of HPV. These individuals were significantly more likely to be female, younger, employed, to have social resources, and to know someone with an STI or cervical cancer. Of these, 21% had vaccinated their daughters and another 31% had never considered vaccination. A large portion “didn't know” if HPV causes genital warts (45.2%) and herpes (39.5%) or whether a Pap detects HPV (29.8%). Vaccination status was significantly affected by pediatrician recommendation. Variables previously associated with African American vaccination attitudes and behaviors, such as religiosity, fear of increased sexual activity, transportation, and cost, were unrelated to vaccination status in this sample. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of surveyed parents admitted to a lack of knowledge about HPV. Physician trust and recommendation were cited as important vaccination decision-making factors. These findings offer potential avenues for intervention to increase HPV vaccine uptake in this population of African American parents.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health or related education
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss African American parents' knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccination. 2. Describe the perceived barriers to HPV vaccination faced by African American parents of vaccine-eligible daughters.

Keywords: Cancer Prevention, Child/Adolescent

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: as a faculty member in the Divison of Cancer Prevention and Control I conduct public health research, with a focus on cancer, women's health and survey studies.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Merck Vaccine Stock Ownership

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.