Racial differences in HPV vaccine uptake based on provider recommendations

Objectives: The purpose this study was to evaluate racial differences in HPV vaccine uptake and the impact of healthcare providers’ recommendations on parents’ decision to vaccinate their children. Methods: This was a population-based survey in rural Alabama (Escambia County) in 2019. A 16-page questionnaire was developed based on questions from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and other sources. Specific focus was placed on HPV vaccine uptake and healthcare access. Participants included parents with at least one child between the ages of 9 and 18 and were recruited proportionally from the nine Census Tract regions in the county. The questionnaire was anonymous and participation was voluntary. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.25. Download : Download high-res image (205KB) Download : Download full-size image Results: A total 329 individuals were interviewed with 151 non-Hispanic Whites and 178 non-Hispanic Blacks included. Other ethnicities and races were not included and comprised Conclusions: Recommendations for getting children vaccinated against HPV is still low in Alabama. Black parents were more likely than White parents to get the impression from their provider that the HPV vaccine was urgent and that they should get their child vaccinated. A large portion of both groups of parents also got the impression that the vaccine was optional. It is imperative that healthcare providers continue to counsel parents on HPV vaccination and encourage the importance of it in order to increase uptake.