Hispanic Mothers and High School Girls Perspectives on HPV Vaccine Uptake

Hispanic women in Texas experience higher cervical cancer incidence and mortality than their peers. The human papillomavirus (HPV), the causal agent for 70% of cervical cancers, is the most common sexually transmitted infection among youth. The HPV vaccine prevents two strains of HPV which are associated with cervical cancer. The vaccine is recommended for girls and women ages 11-26. Compared to 45% of girls in the U.S., 40% of Hispanic girls (ages 13-17) in Texas receive ≥1 dose of the vaccine and fewer complete the vaccine series (≥3 doses; 45.5% vs. 23.4%). This falls short of Healthy People 2020 target of 80% of girls (ages 13-15) receiving ≥3 doses. To elicit factors regarding vaccine uptake in Texas, we conducted focus groups with Hispanic girls (ages 14-18) and mothers. We conducted four focus groups with girls and four with mothers. Moderators facilitated the groups in either English or Spanish based on group preference. We analyzed focus group transcripts and identified themes. Girls had no knowledge of cervical cancer, what caused it and who is at risk for developing it. Mothers had varied levels of knowledge of cervical cancer. Both mothers and girls expressed concerns about vaccine safety (e.g., side effects, condoning early sexual initiation). Some girls who received the vaccine also expressed a desire to have participated in the decision making process with their parents. Findings can assist in developing educational programs to provide information that will aid parents and girls in the vaccine decision-making process.