Abstract A028: Development of multisectoral partnerships in the quest to target effective HPV vaccination strategies in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. HPV accounts for 79% of related cancers in the United States (US). Puerto Rico has the highest incidence (12.1) of cervical cancer among the US and territories, for which HPV infections cause 91%. The Puerto Rico Community Cancer Control Outreach Program (PRCCCOP) and our long-term partner, UTHealth, have developed HPV vaccination educational materials tailored to be used by clinical and public health workers or as a standalone. Since 2019, PRCCCOP has been promoting HPV vaccine to prevent related cancers. Objective: To develop a network of multisectoral collaborators to facilitate the dissemination of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) prevention educational campaigns and HPV vaccination uptake in Puerto Rico (PR). Methods: From 2019 to March 2023, the Puerto Rico Community Cancer Control Outreach Program (PRCCCOP) has established a network of islandwide collaborators, which has developed alliances for the participation of several community activities in which our educational materials have been distributed. Collaborators were offered workshops on HPV, HPV- prevention, and the HPV vaccine, received educational materials, and continued assistance in their community activities. The collaborators were categorized by the type of organization or services they offered. Results: A descriptive assessment of collaborators was documented and categorized into 5 groups. A total of 44 new collaborations have been established, (1) academic (11.3%), (2) health services/FQHCs (36.5%), (3) community-based (7%), (4) private sector (25%), and (5) government (20.4%). Our team has participated in 129 community events in 39 (50%) municipalities. Moreover, our HPV educational campaigns have been distributed in 54 (69.2%) municipalities, including Vieques and Culebra Island municipalities. Conclusion: The PRCCCOP has effectively expanded its reach by developing partnerships with diverse organizations across PR. Most activities are from FQHCs, allowing us to reach the most vulnerable populations effectively. These partnerships helped increase the visibility of the program and the availability of our workshops and educational materials to different organizations in Puerto Rico. By establishing these collaborations, we aim to increase knowledge, raise awareness about HPV prevention, and increase vaccination uptake to eradicate HPV-caused cancers. We will keep growing our network in the next year to reach all municipalities in Puerto Rico. Citation Format: Yara Sánchez-Cabrera, Ileska M. Valencia-Torres, Maria E. Fernandez, Vivian Colón-López. Development of multisectoral partnerships in the quest to target effective HPV vaccination strategies in Puerto Rico [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A028.