Abstract
BackgroundSuboptimal human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates persist among adolescents in the United States (U.S.). New Jersey (NJ), among the top, most racially/ethnically diverse states in the U.S., had among the lowest HPV vaccine initiation rates, prior to 2018. This study examined parental HPV vaccine knowledge and adolescent HPV vaccine initiation among multiethnic parents in NJ, where access to language concordant HPV vaccine information and vaccination services may differ, for immigrant parents.MethodsWe surveyed parents of adolescents (ages 11–18) at community events in NJ to examine parental HPV vaccine knowledge and adolescent HPV vaccine uptake. Vaccine knowledge was assessed using an 11-item question stem that covered vaccine efficacy, gender recommendation, vaccine protection, and myths. Multivariable models assessed the association of parent nativity on HPV vaccine knowledge scores and adolescent HPV vaccine initiation, controlling for sociodemographic factors.ResultsOf the 77 parents, most parents (84%) were aware of the HPV vaccine. However, knowledge scores were low and differed by parent nativity. Non-U.S. born parents had significantly lower knowledge scores − 1.7 [− 3.1, − 0.4] and lower odds of adolescent children initiating the HPV vaccine 0.3 [0.1, 0.9] compared to U.S.-born parents after adjusting demographic characteristics.ConclusionsOur findings reveal that parental HPV vaccine knowledge remains low among suburban dwelling, immigrant parents, even though they have higher education and access to health care. Multilevel strategies to reduce missed opportunities for HPV vaccine education among parents and HPV vaccination for adolescents are needed, including for suburban, immigrant communities.
Highlights
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines prevent infection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types associated with multiple cancers, disparities in incidence of cervical cancer and other HPV-associated cancers continue to persist among racial/ethnic minority and immigrant populations [1]
Lower rates of HPV vaccine uptake are observed among adolescents of immigrant parents [3, 4]
Prior studies have attributed lower HPV vaccination rates among adolescents of immigrant parents to lack of strong provider recommendation [5], lack of perceived benefits of the vaccine, concerns about sexual activity [6], and limited access to vaccine information
Summary
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines prevent infection of high-risk HPV types associated with multiple cancers, disparities in incidence of cervical cancer and other HPV-associated cancers continue to persist among racial/ethnic minority and immigrant populations [1]. Lower rates of HPV vaccine uptake are observed among adolescents of immigrant parents [3, 4]. Prior studies have attributed lower HPV vaccination rates among adolescents of immigrant parents to lack of strong provider recommendation [5], lack of perceived benefits of the vaccine, concerns about sexual activity [6], and limited access to vaccine information. Few studies have focused on suburban dwelling, immigrant parents where socioeconomic status and access to health care are on average higher than racial/ethnic minority and immigrant parents in urban communities, but HPV vaccination rates remain low in many communities. Suboptimal human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates persist among adolescents in the United States (U.S.). New Jersey (NJ), among the top, most racially/ethnically diverse states in the U.S, had among the lowest HPV vaccine initiation rates, prior to 2018. This study examined parental HPV vaccine knowledge and adolescent HPV vaccine initiation among multiethnic parents in NJ, where access to language concordant HPV vaccine information and vaccination services may differ, for immigrant parents
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