Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. This study aimed to explore patients’ knowledge about the HPV vaccine. Secondary objectives were to understand factors and potential barriers to vaccination in a safety-net hospital system. Methods: A 28-item survey was developed using Likert scale survey questions to assess patient agreement with statements regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine. The surveys were then administered to patients in the Obstetrics/Gynecology outpatient clinics of a safety- net hospital. Patients had to be 18 years and older, able to read English, Spanish or Haitian Creole, and were able to self-complete survey. Survey responses were recorded in REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) for further analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to evaluate frequency, range, mean and median values. Results: Two hundred and fourteen patients completed surveys from May through July of 2021. The mean age of respondents was 34 years. Fifty-two percent of respondents were identified as Caucasian, 21% African American, 8% Haitian, and 18% others. Seventy-two percent identified as Hispanic, and 28% identified as non-Hispanic. Thirty- one percent reported not knowing how HPV was transmitted, and 38% reported that they did not know the health consequences of HPV. Forty-four percent of respondents reported cancer as a possible health outcome of HPV infection. The majority of patients (70%) reported that a medical professional had never discussed HPV vaccination. Sixty-four percent of patients did not know the earliest age at which the HPV vaccine could be administered, and 84% did not know the oldest age at which the HPV vaccine could be administered. Fifty- nine percent of respondents were unsure whether men could receive the HPV vaccine, whereas 72% of respondents did not know how many injections were required as part of the HPV series. Seventy-six percent of respondents reported that the HPV vaccine was not available for receipt the same day when offered. Fifty percent of patients reported that they were unaware that they were eligible to receive the vaccine. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated significant gaps in knowledge regarding HPV and HPV vaccination among our clinic population. Less than half of patients knew that HPV causes cancer. Nearly half of our patients had not received the vaccine, and the majority reported that a medical professional had never discussed vaccination with them. Healthcare providers have significant opportunities to provide education and counseling to increase knowledge and uptake of HPV vaccine for cancer prevention. Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. This study aimed to explore patients’ knowledge about the HPV vaccine. Secondary objectives were to understand factors and potential barriers to vaccination in a safety-net hospital system. Methods: A 28-item survey was developed using Likert scale survey questions to assess patient agreement with statements regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine. The surveys were then administered to patients in the Obstetrics/Gynecology outpatient clinics of a safety- net hospital. Patients had to be 18 years and older, able to read English, Spanish or Haitian Creole, and were able to self-complete survey. Survey responses were recorded in REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) for further analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to evaluate frequency, range, mean and median values. Results: Two hundred and fourteen patients completed surveys from May through July of 2021. The mean age of respondents was 34 years. Fifty-two percent of respondents were identified as Caucasian, 21% African American, 8% Haitian, and 18% others. Seventy-two percent identified as Hispanic, and 28% identified as non-Hispanic. Thirty- one percent reported not knowing how HPV was transmitted, and 38% reported that they did not know the health consequences of HPV. Forty-four percent of respondents reported cancer as a possible health outcome of HPV infection. The majority of patients (70%) reported that a medical professional had never discussed HPV vaccination. Sixty-four percent of patients did not know the earliest age at which the HPV vaccine could be administered, and 84% did not know the oldest age at which the HPV vaccine could be administered. Fifty- nine percent of respondents were unsure whether men could receive the HPV vaccine, whereas 72% of respondents did not know how many injections were required as part of the HPV series. Seventy-six percent of respondents reported that the HPV vaccine was not available for receipt the same day when offered. Fifty percent of patients reported that they were unaware that they were eligible to receive the vaccine. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated significant gaps in knowledge regarding HPV and HPV vaccination among our clinic population. Less than half of patients knew that HPV causes cancer. Nearly half of our patients had not received the vaccine, and the majority reported that a medical professional had never discussed vaccination with them. Healthcare providers have significant opportunities to provide education and counseling to increase knowledge and uptake of HPV vaccine for cancer prevention.
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Open Access
Oct 21, 2023
Hannah Hittson + 9
