Abstract PO-270: Evaluation of attitudes, beliefs and influences and their impact on HPV vaccination rates among minority health science students

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease. The contraction of HPV is associated with the development of several different types of cancers, including anal, cervical, and oropharyngeal cancers. These cancers have proven to impact Black and Hispanic women disproportionately across the United States, suffering from high rates of HPV infection and high incidence of cervical cancer. Despite knowledge of this risk, HPV vaccination rates remain low among minority women. Personal beliefs and access surrounding HPV vaccination may be contributors to these disparities. This survey aims to study the motivations behind the choice to receive HPV vaccination among health science students. Health science students are the target for this study as they are uniquely situated as the future providers of their communities. If the study is able to gauge how they feel about HPV vaccination, then the scientific community can target interventions to impact change beginning with the providers themselves. Females specifically were chosen as they are the primary targets of HPV vaccination. HPV vaccination rates among female health science students are a secondary result. Methods: A 37-item electronic survey was sent out to female health science students at the University of Florida which include the schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Veterinary Science. The online survey was then distributed in July of 2021 through Qualtrics. The survey evaluated previous HPV knowledge, motivations for or against HPV vaccination, and beliefs surrounding HPV vaccination. Results: The survey was delivered and distributed in July of 2021. In this study there are four different types of questions analyzed to gather information on previous HPV knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and external influences. Results will be categorized and compared based on race/ethnicity. By analyzing these groups there is an opportunity to understand how one's racial or ethnic background can affect their medical decisions in health science students and the recommendations they give to others. Results are pending. Conclusion: This being the first study of its kind warrants further investigation as health science students are trusted individuals of the medical community. If these students are against HPV vaccination, then medical schools could target interventions to teach students about racial disparities in HPV infection and vaccination recommendation. So, when given the opportunity as a provider these students can recommend vaccination to their patients. These results are indicative of knowledge gaps and attitudes within the younger generations of the medical community. Citation Format: Katya M Marcia, John M Allen. Evaluation of attitudes, beliefs and influences and their impact on HPV vaccination rates among minority health science students [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-270.