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HPV vaccination among young adult sexual minority women in the United States
METHODS: A national sample of lesbian and bisexual women ages 18-26 completed our online survey during Fall 2013 (n=543). Most respondents self-identified as bisexual (74%) and were non-Hispanic white (68%). We used multivariable logistic regression to identify correlates of HPV vaccine initiation (received ≥ 1 dose) and completion (received all 3 doses).
RESULTS: Overall, 45% of respondents had initiated HPV vaccine, and 70% of initiators had completes the series. HPV vaccine initiation was higher among respondents who: were students, had received a healthcare provider’s recommendation, perceived greater positive social vaccination norms, or anticipated greater regret if they did not get vaccinated and later got HPV (all p<.05). Vaccine initiation was lower among those who perceived greater HPV vaccine harms or greater barriers to getting the vaccine (both p<.05). Completion of the 3-dose series was higher among initiators who had a college degree, and lower among those who perceived a greater likelihood of acquiring HPV or who anticipated greater regret if they got the vaccine and fainted (all p<.05). Among initiators who had not yet completed the series, fewer than half (47%) intended to obtain the remaining doses.
CONCLUSION: Many young adult sexual minority women are not getting vaccinated against HPV. Healthcare provider recommendations and women’s health beliefs may be important leverage points for increasing vaccination.
Learning Areas:
EpidemiologyProtection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Describe HPV vaccine initiation and completion among young adult lesbian and bisexual women in the United States.
Identify correlates of HPV vaccine initiation and completion among young adult lesbian and bisexual women.
Describe intentions to receive all doses of HPV vaccine among initiators who had not yet completed the 3-dose series.
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I hold a DrPH in Maternal and Child Health and am an assistant professor of public health. I specialize in adolescent and young adult health and have conducted research on HPV vaccine for over 5 years resulting in over 25 papers on the topic.
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.