Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Estimates Among Adolescents in the Mississippi Delta Region: National Immunization Survey‑Teen, 2015-2017.

David Yankey,Connie L Bish,Laurie D Elam-Evans,Shannon K Stokley

doi:10.5888/pcd17.190234

Abstract

IntroductionThe Delta Regional Authority (DRA) consists of 252 counties and parishes in 8 states in the US Mississippi Delta region. DRA areas have high rates of disease, including cancers related to the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV vaccination coverage in the DRA region has not been documented.MethodsWe analyzed data for 63,299 adolescents aged 13 to 17 years in the National Immunization Survey-Teen, 2015–2017. We compared HPV vaccination initiation coverage estimates (≥1 dose) in the DRA region with coverage estimates in areas in the 8 Delta states outside the DRA region and non-Delta states. We examined correlates of HPV vaccination coverage initiation and reasons parents did not intend to vaccinate adolescents.ResultsVaccination rates in the DRA region (n = 2,317; 54.3%) and in Delta areas outside the DRA region (n = 6,028; 56.2%) were similar, but these rates were significantly lower than rates in non-Delta states (n = 54,954; 61.4%). Inside the DRA region, reasons for parents’ vaccine hesitancy or refusal were similar to those expressed by parents in the Delta areas outside the DRA region. Some parents believed that the vaccine was not necessary or had concerns about vaccine safety.ConclusionHPV vaccination coverage in the DRA region is similar to coverage in other Delta counties and parishes, but it is significantly lower than in non-Delta states. Activities to address parental concerns and improve provider recommendations for the vaccine in the DRA region are needed to increase HPV vaccination rates.

Highlights

Introduction The Delta RegionalAuthority (DRA) consists of 252 counties and parishes in 8 states in the US Mississippi Delta region
human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage in the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) region is similar to coverage in other Delta counties and parishes, but it is significantly lower than in non-Delta states
The opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors’ affiliated institutions

Summary

Introduction

Authority (DRA) consists of 252 counties and parishes in 8 states in the US Mississippi Delta region. The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) was established in 2000 by the US Congress to support economic development and improve living standards for approximately 10 million residents in 252 designated counties and parishes in 8 Mississippi Delta states: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, The opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors’ affiliated institutions. All text from this work may be reprinted freely. Use of these materials should be properly cited. United States’ Delta Regional Authority (DRA) counties and parishes

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