HPV vaccine knowledge and practice among adolescents in Puerto Rico

Educational programs have been developed to educate about the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the HPV vaccine with the purpose of reducing the risk of cervical cancer. This study analyses data from an island-wide cross-sectional survey, to estimate the prevalence of HPV vaccination among adolescents, to estimate the proportion of students that have received information about HPV and the HPV vaccine, and to determine the association between vaccination status and socio-demographic characteristics, sexual relations, HPV/STD knowledge, and having other vaccinations. The sample (n=10,134) was selected using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling design, and is representative of all 7th-12th grade students in PR. Data was collected using a pre-coded self-administered questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression models were fitted to evaluate characteristics related to vaccination. Although half of the students had received information about HPV or its vaccine, only 18.8% reported vaccination. More females knew about HPV or had been vaccinated than males.  Knowledge increased with age, but vaccination practice was similar across age groups. Mean onset of sexual relations was 14.0±2.0 years. Males were more sexually active that females. Among sexually active students, 58.2% had knowledge of HPV or its vaccine (56.9%), but only 20.8% had been vaccinated.  Characteristics associated with vaccination included:  having other vaccinations (hepatitis or influenza), being female, living with one parent, mother’s education, receiving information about HPV and its vaccine, and participation in prevention activities. Findings from this study will have important implications for the development of HPV-related preventive intervention programs for the Hispanic adolescent population.