Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Beliefs Research Articles

A Cohort Study Exploring HPV Vaccination Beliefs Among Oral Health Providers: Broadening the Scope of Education and Administration.

There is potential utility and increasing interest in engaging professionals in non-traditional vaccination settings to participate in efforts to reduce human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancer. This study assessed the impact of a multi-disciplinary HPV educational intervention on oral health care professionals' perceived role, comfort level, and scope of practice in HPV-related cancer prevention efforts. The virtual educational intervention was provided by a multi-disciplinary panel of experts. Seventy-three oral health care professionals attended the educational intervention and completed a questionnaire at three time points (pre-session, immediate post-session, and at the 1-month follow-up). Data were analyzed using Friedman's ANOVA and post-hoc analyses. Respondent's median belief that it is the role of an oral health professional to recommend the HPV vaccine increased from pre-session (Median = 3.0, IQR = 3.0-4.0) to immediate post-session (median = 4.5, IQR = 4.0-5.0), and this increase was maintained 1 month after the session (median = 4.0, IQR = 4.0-4.5; p < 0.001). Additionally, respondent's belief that they were up-to-date on the latest guidelines for HPV vaccination also increased from pre-session to immediate post-session (p < 0.05), and this increase was maintained 1 month after the session (pre-session median = 2.0, IQR = 2.0-3.0 vs. 1-month post-session median = 4.0, IQR = 4.0-5.0; p < 0.005). The multi-disciplinary HPV educational intervention was well-received by oral health professionals. Data suggest the intervention had a lasting impact on their beliefs about their role, comfort level, and scope of practice relating to HPV cancer prevention. More research needs to be conducted to better understand how obstetrician-gynecologists, other obstetric care providers, and oral health communities can support each other in promoting HPV-related cancer prevention.

"That Was an Eye Opener for Me": Mixed-Methods Outcomes Educating Texas Community Health Workers on HPV Vaccination Using Project ECHO®.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is known to cause six different types of cancer. HPV vaccination can prevent over 90% of these cancers. Community health workers (CHWs) have the potential to drive HPV vaccination demand through education and navigation by addressing vaccine hesitancy and dis/misinformation and by reaching non-English speaking, vulnerable, or rural populations. Despite their possible reach, there is limited research on HPV vaccination education programs for CHWs. In 2020-2021, the American Cancer Society (ACS) HPV Cancer Free Texas (HPVCFT) Project implemented the eight-session Mission: HPVCFT Vaccination ECHO-CHW Program ten times. This manuscript details the program's implementation processes and outcomes. The program used the Project ECHO model and was offered in both English and Spanish. One hundred and forty-six Texan CHWs completed pre- and post-training surveys. The participants demonstrated significant HPV vaccination knowledge increases and desirable shifts in their foundational HPV vaccination beliefs, including the belief that the HPV vaccine is for cancer prevention. The participants also reported increased confidence in communicating about the HPV vaccine in the community. Improving knowledge, beliefs, and confidence in HPV vaccination is the first step in addressing concerns and increasing uptake. Future research and interventions are needed to better understand how CHWs can be more systematically linked to vaccination opportunities or provided with clearer paths for directing patients to providers that vaccinate.

Human papillomavirus vaccine beliefs and intentions Post-COVID-19 vaccine release among mothers in Alabama

PurposeThe current study sought to determine if the release of COVID-19 vaccines influenced Alabama mothers’ attitudes and behaviors regarding HPV vaccination of their adolescent children. MethodsA social media survey was conducted August − September 2022 among mothers of adolescents ages 9–18, who self-identified as Alabama residents and their child(ren)’s primary medical decision maker. The survey assessed demographics, vaccine knowledge and opinions, vaccination history, influences on vaccination decisions, and how COVID-19 vaccine release affected vaccine opinions. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted. ResultsOf 241 responses, most participants were white (82.0 %, n = 196), non-Hispanic (96.6 %, n = 230), and privately insured (64.5 %, n = 151), with annual household incomes ≥$61,000 (45.4 %, n = 103). The majority (60.8 %) reported that their child either had or planned to receive the HPV vaccine. The release of COVID-19 vaccines did not change the majority of parental opinions towards HPV, with 78.5 % (n = 161) reporting no change. Among those who experienced a change, 25 % (n = 5) reported an increased likelihood of having their child vaccinated for HPV and 75 % (n = 15) reported a decrease in likelihood. Moderate and high HPV knowledge scores were associated in multivariable analysis with increased likelihood of having their child vaccinated for HPV (“moderate” knowledge AOR: 12.4, 95 % CI: 1.98–78.1; “high” knowledge AOR: 12.8, 95 % CI: 2.00–82.1). Positive HPV opinion scores in the univariable analysis similarly showed increased odds (AOR = 1.5). ConclusionsThese findings indicate that, in this population, COVID-19 vaccine release did not significantly impact subsequent HPV vaccination decision making. Parental perceptions regarding vaccination are critical to informing future interventions.

Human papillomavirus vaccine beliefs and practice characteristics in rural and urban adolescent care providers

BackgroundThe human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended for all adolescents age 11–12 years. HPV vaccine coverage remains suboptimal in the United States though, particularly in rural areas. We surveyed adolescent immunization providers in two Midwestern states to assess rural vs. urban differences in HPV vaccine resources, practices, and attitudes.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was sent to all licensed adolescent care providers in a subset of urban and rural counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin during 2019. Multivariable regression was used to identify attitudes and practices that differentiated rural vs. urban providers.ResultsThere were 437 survey respondents (31% rural). Significantly fewer rural providers had evening/weekend adolescent vaccination appointments available (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.21 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.12, 0.36]), had prior experience with adolescent vaccine quality improvement projects (aOR = 0.52 [95% CI: 0.28, 0.98]), and routinely recommended HPV vaccine during urgent/acute care visits (aOR = 0.37 [95% CI: 0.18, 0.79]). Significantly more rural providers had standing orders to administer all recommended adolescent vaccines (aOR = 2.81 [95% CI: 1.61, 4.91]) and reported giving HPV vaccine information to their patients/families before it is due (aOR = 3.10 [95% CI: 1.68, 5.71]).ConclusionsRural vs. urban differences in provider practices were mixed in that rural providers do not implement some practices that may promote HPV vaccination, but do implement other practices that promote HPV vaccination. It remains unclear how the observed differences would affect HPV vaccine attitudes or adolescent vaccination decisions for parents in rural areas.

Vacteens.org: A Mobile Web app to Improve HPV Vaccine Uptake.

U.S. HPV vaccine uptake remains below the Healthy People 2030 goal of 80% series completion. Parental concerns and misinformation about the efficacy and safety of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine remain, and may be addressed by digital interventions tailored to their concerns. Reported here are results from a small scale randomized trial testing a mobile web app for parents and their adolescent daughters (ages 11–14 years) encouraging HPV vaccination in New Mexico, an ethnically-diverse U.S. state.Methods: A clinic-cluster randomized trial where pediatric clinics (n = 9) were recruited and randomized, and parent-adolescent pairs (n = 82) within clinics received either the Vacteens.org/Vacunadolescente.org mobile web app or Usual and Customary (UC) HPV Vaccination information. Parents completed online surveys at baseline and 3-months. Daughters' HPV vaccine data were collected from the New Mexico State Immunization Information System 1 year post baseline.Results: Three month survey results found Vacteens.org/Vacunadolescente.org parents to have higher positive HPV vaccine beliefs, informed decision making, intent to vaccinate and vaccine confidence outcomes than UC parents. HPV vaccine data found higher first dose HPV vaccination (Pearson χ2 = 6.13, p = 0.013, Vacteens.org/Vacunadolescente.org group 59.4%, UC group 40.6%), and higher HPV vaccination series completion (Pearson χ2 = 6.49, p = 0.011, Vacteens.org/Vacunadolescente.org group 68.4%, UC group 31.6%).Conclusions: The small trial results showed the Vacteens.org/Vacunadolescente.org web app prompted positive vaccine-related attitudes and beliefs, and more HPV vaccination initiation and series completion. Mobile web apps can make decision-making tools for HPV vaccination widely available on digital platforms, reducing vaccine hesitancy, and confusion and increase HPV vaccine uptake.

HPV Vaccine Beliefs and Correlates of Uptake Among Hispanic Women and Their Children on the US-Mexico Border.

Introduction:Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection nationally. Although preventable, uptake of the HPV vaccine is low. The purpose of this study was to describe HPV vaccine knowledge and beliefs and psychosocial correlates of vaccine uptake among adult females and their children in a US-Mexico border community.Materials and Methods:We conducted a survey of uninsured women aged 21-65 years living in Texas who were due for cervical cancer screening. We utilized descriptive statistics to report demographic and psychosocial variables. We used logistic regression analysis to identify correlates of prior vaccine uptake.Results:599 women completed surveys: mean age was 44.69 years, 97.8%, were Hispanic and 86% were Spanish speaking; 5% had been vaccinated. Awareness of HPV infection & HPV vaccine was 81.6% & 68.6% respectively. Scores for mean perceived susceptibility was low and mean perceived benefits was high; the mean score for knowledge was 3.69 out of 6. Common parental barriers to child vaccination were cost, lack of accessibility and lack of information. Correlates of past HPV vaccine uptake among adult women were younger age, monthly income of $2,500-$5,000, full-time employment, US birth, and higher perceived severity of HPV. Older age was a correlate of vaccine uptake for daughters.Discussion and Conclusion:Findings revealed low HPV vaccine uptake among adult Hispanic women, but high vaccine acceptability for their sons and daughters. Culturally tailored educational interventions are needed to improve HPV knowledge and HPV vaccine uptake among adults and their children.

Leveraging deep learning to understand health beliefs about the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine from social media

Our aim was to characterize health beliefs about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in a large set of Twitter posts (tweets). We collected a Twitter data set related to the HPV vaccine from 1 January 2014, to 31 December 2017. We proposed a deep-learning-based framework to mine health beliefs on the HPV vaccine from Twitter. Deep learning achieved high performance in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. A retrospective analysis of health beliefs found that HPV vaccine beliefs may be evolving on Twitter.

Identifying Health Beliefs Influencing Hispanic College Men's Willingness to Vaccinate against HPV

ABSTRACTThis study identifies health beliefs influencing Hispanic college men's human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake decision making processes. Hispanic college men were interviewed about their HPV vaccine knowledge, and information seeking behaviors. Overall, participants did not view HPV infection or vaccination as an immediate concern or priority; belief that it was a virus that only affected women, and a sense of invulnerability informed their positions. Despite these issues, most men were willing to consider getting the HPV vaccine if they received more education from health care providers, and cost concerns were addressed. These findings pointed to gaps in our understandings of Hispanic college men's HPV vaccination beliefs and provided insight into the importance of integrating this population's unique beliefs into campus health providers efforts aimed at increasing vaccination rates.

HPV vaccine for teen boys: Dyadic analysis of parents' and sons' beliefs and willingness

ObjectiveParents and adolescents often decide together whether the child should receive human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. However, few studies have investigated the dyadic nature of beliefs that affect this process. MethodData came from the 2010 HPV Immunization in Sons (HIS) Study, a national sample of 412 parents and their adolescent sons. We conducted dyadic multivariate logistic regression to examine the relationships between parents' and sons' HPV vaccine beliefs and their willingness to have the son receive the vaccine. ResultsLess than half of parents and sons were willing to have the sons receive HPV vaccine (43% and 29%, respectively). Willing parents and sons anticipated greater regret if the son did not receive HPV vaccine but later contracted an HPV infection (parent odds ratio [OR]=1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.24–2.40; son OR=1.51, 95% CI=1.04–2.19) (both p<.05). Lower concerns about side effects, such as pain and fainting, were also associated with willingness. ConclusionParents and sons were more willing to have the son receive HPV vaccine if they had higher anticipated regret about potential HPV infection and lower concerns about side effects. Communication campaigns may be able to target these beliefs to increase parents' and sons' willingness to seek HPV vaccination.

Social Networks Influence Hispanic College Women's HPV Vaccine Uptake Decision-Making Processes

This qualitative study was designed to assess current and preferred social networks that influence human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine decision-making in a sample of Hispanic college women. Individual, semistructured interviews were conducted with 41 Hispanic college women attending a large southeastern Hispanic-serving institution. Television commercials and discussions with mothers were found to be the most influential social networks for current HPV vaccination beliefs. Internet sites, close family members, and healthcare providers’ communications were preferred social networks for HPV vaccine information. Perceived accessibility and sense of comfort influenced the order in which these social networks’ communications would be accepted. Findings suggest that Hispanic college women utilize specific social networks to gather information and make decisions about HPV vaccination. Continued efforts are needed to promote further understanding of the purpose of the HPV vaccine via these preferred sources of information.

Social Cognitive and Clinical Factors Associated with HPV Vaccine Initiation Among Urban, Economically Disadvantaged Women

To learn more about human papilloma virus (HPV) knowledge and vaccination among teens and young women age 13 to 26 years from an economically disadvantaged, urban community. Our aim was to identify common beliefs about HPV vaccine initiation and describe the relationship between attitudes, norms, perceived control, and intention to receive HPV vaccine, drawing from the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Mixed method, descriptive design. Guided by the TPB, HPV vaccine beliefs were assessed through focus groups. Intention to receive the vaccine, demographic and clinical factors, and theoretical predictor variables (attitudes, norms, and control) were assessed through questionnaires. After recruitment, focus groups were held at a convenient date and time for our participants in a small university conference room. Participants were economically disadvantaged young women, age 13 to 26 (N=34). Specific behavioral, normative, and control beliefs were elicited in focus groups and analyzed using content analysis. Simple and multivariate general linear modeling with adjustment for prognostic demographic and clinical factors was completed to assess the influence of the theoretical predictor variables on the outcome of HPV vaccine initiation. Influential beliefs toward vaccination were identified. Analysis indicated attitudes, norms, and perceived control toward HPV vaccine initiation were highly significant predictors of intent, as was tobacco use; all p's<.001. Barriers to HPV vaccine initiation were identified, and strong preliminary evidence supports use of the TPB to guide programs to promote urban, economically disadvantaged young women's intent to begin the HPV vaccine.

Influences on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Status Among Female College Students

In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil® (Merck) for girls and women aged 9-26 years. Although the vaccine is ideally administered to 11 and 12 year olds, college-aged women may be uniquely at risk for HPV due to high rates of sexual activity and, thus, serve as an important catch-up population for the HPV vaccine. The purpose of this study is to examine factors associated with HPV vaccination status among college women. In fall 2008, a convenience sample of 256 undergraduate women enrolled in an introductory social science course at a large, public, urban university in the southeastern United States was surveyed. The 30-item paper-and-pencil questionnaire asked for demographic information, HPV knowledge, HPV vaccine beliefs, and HPV vaccination status. The overall survey response rate was 89.6%. Most women were unmarried/single (91.7%), with a mean age of 18.9 years (range 17-42). Race/ethnicity status included 73.0% white, 17.5% Hispanic, and 7.7% black/African American. One hundred eleven (40.5%) women reported receiving the vaccine. Nonvaccinated women were less likely to have heard of the vaccine through a healthcare provider (odds ratio [OR] 0.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04-0.35) or from a family member (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.16-0.68) and more likely to consider a healthcare provider recommendation as being only somewhat important (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.32-6.41) or not important at all (OR 5.61, 95% CI 0.44-71.87) vs. very important. Findings suggest that healthcare providers have an important role in encouraging HPV vaccination. Continuing education for providers who see preadolescent girls in conjunction with a parent or who treat women of college age may be a worthwhile endeavor.