Awareness and knowledge of HPV and the HPV vaccine among parents of adolescent Latinas

Background: Latinas have a 1.5-fold increased cervical cancer incidence and mortality compared to non-Hispanic white women. To prevent cervical cancer, the CDC recommends the HPV vaccine to adolescent girls. This study explores factors related to HPV vaccine uptake among rural Latino parents.

Methods: Latino parents with a daughter aged 9-17 were recruited at community events in rural Washington to participate in 30-minute questionnaires on HPV vaccine knowledge, attitudes, normative beliefs, and uptake. The questionnaires were designed for Spanish-speaking participants with low levels of literacy.

Results: Participants included 88 Latino parents (78 women and 10 men; mean age=40, range: 22-62; mean years of education=9.4, range: 0-16; most with incomes less than $20,000 per year). Thirty-two percent of parents (n=28) reported having obtained at least one dose of the HPV vaccine for their daughter. Factors associated with daughter's receipt of the HPV vaccine were: previously hearing of HPV (OR: 7.33; 95% OR CI: 2.3 – 23.7), previously hearing of the vaccine on television or radio (OR: 4.5; 95% OR CI: 1.6 – 12.8), knowing the vaccine's age recommendations (OR: 4.99; 95% OR CI: 1.76 – 14.1), knowing that there are multiple doses (OR: 5.0; 95% OR CI: 1.83 – 13.7), and knowing that a woman is unable to detect HPV (OR: 2.93; 95% OR CI: 1.14 – 7.54).

Conclusions: Culturally and linguistically appropriate cervical cancer prevention and HPV vaccine awareness programs are needed. Our findings may inform HPV awareness programs targeting rural Latino parents.