243135 Human Papillomavirus knowledge, attitudes and vaccination experiences among American Indian college students

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Tracy Line Itty, MPH , School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Felicia Schanche Hodge, DrPH , School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, causing an estimated 6.2 million new infections annually. Vaccination is recommended for females aged 13-26 years who have not been previously vaccinated or who have not completed the full series. A pilot study was conducted among American Indian college students aged 18-26 years. Eight focus groups and a self-administered questionnaire were held among American Indian college students in Arizona and California. Findings underscored a high level of knowledge regarding where to find HPV information regarding transmission, vaccination, and personal risks. There were several areas of misinformation reported by the students regarding the HPV vaccine. Sixty-three percent believed that “to get the HPV vaccine you must be female.” Male respondents largely believed that they do not need to worry about the HPV virus because of their gender. Only 13% had received the HPV vaccination, and 43% reported at least one adverse event such as pain. Recommendations for counseling, HPV vaccination program outreach, implementation and media portrayal are provided.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe areas of misinformation about the HPV vaccine among American Indian college students. 2. Identify strategies to increase HPV vaccination rates among American Indian adolescents and young adults.

Keywords: Native Americans, Immunizations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present based on my experience as a project director for the Center for American Indian/Indigenous Research and Education with experience on HPV and cancer symptom management programs among American Indians.
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.

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