Latinas' Health Care Provider Preferences Regarding HPV Vaccination

Introduction: Research shows that increased diversity of health care providers (HCP) can improve patient satisfaction, access and quality of care. Diversity of providers may be related to rates of acceptance of the HPV vaccination: although HPV-related disparities can be explained in part by differences in access to care and socioeconomics, the role of patients' beliefs and preferences remains unclear.

Purpose: To describe Latinas' preferences for HCP with regard to obtaining the HPV vaccine.

Methods: Women self-identified as “Hispanic” (n=329) completed an online survey that addressed receipt of HPV vaccine, and agree/disagree/neutral opinions about HCP preference regarding HPV vaccine recommendations.

Results: Sixty-three percent had health insurance and 64% had a current HCP. Although 67% were US born, 71% had foreign-born parents. Vaccination rates varied: 43% were vaccinated for HPV, 57% unvaccinated. Among unvaccinated women (n=187), 34% agreed they would be more likely to get the vaccine if the recommending HCP was the same gender as them; 18% agreed they would be more likely to get the vaccine if the provider was the same ethnicity. Gender and ethnicity preference was significantly correlated (Kappa=0.63). Among women more likely to get the vaccine from a same sex provider (n=64), 47% also preferred a provider of the same ethnicity.

Conclusions: Latinas' preferences may affect the quality of their interaction with their HCP, and may be a factor in disparities in HPV vaccination rates. Providing patients with better information about HCP and improving mechanisms for patients to choose their own HCP may be potential policy solutions.