HPV vaccination among Hispanic females in the United States: Results from the National Immunization Survey-Teen

BACKGROUND: Hispanic females have the highest cervical cancer incidence rate of any racial or ethnic group in the US, yet relatively little research has examined HPV vaccination among this fast-growing population.  We examined HPV vaccination among a national sample of Hispanic adolescent females.

METHODS: We analyzed provider-verified vaccination data from the 2010-2011 National Immunization Survey-Teen for Hispanic females ages 13-17 (n=2,786).  We used weighted logistic regression to identify correlates of HPV vaccine initiation (receipt of one or more doses), completion (receipt of three doses), and follow-through (receipt of three doses among those who initiated the series).

RESULTS: HPV vaccine initiation was 60.9%, completion was 36.0%, and follow-through was 59.1%.  Initiation and completion were more common among older daughters and those whose parents had received a provider recommendation to vaccinate (all p<0.05).  Completion was less common among daughters who had moved from their birth state (p<0.05).  All vaccination outcomes were less common among daughters without health insurance (all p<0.05).  Vaccination did not differ by parents’ preferred language (all p>0.05), although intent to vaccinate was higher among Spanish-speaking parents (p<0.01).  Spanish-speaking parents were more likely to indicate lack of provider recommendation (20.2% vs. 5.3%) and cost (10.9% vs. 1.8%) as main reasons for not intending to vaccinate (both p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Many Hispanic females have not received HPV vaccine.  Several factors, including provider recommendation and health insurance, are key correlates of vaccination.  HPV vaccination programs targeting Hispanics are needed and should consider how potential barriers to vaccination may differ by preferred language.