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HPV vaccination uptake among those at greatest risk: Lessons learned from the field
Methods:Data, inclusive of sociodemographics, sexual behaviors, and knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about HPV and vaccination were collected via ACASI from 216 African-American adolescent females (ages 14-18 years) seeking services in family planning and STI public health clinics in metropolitan Atlanta. Data were obtained prior to randomization and participation in an interactive media-based intervention to increase HPV vaccination uptake. Medical record abstraction was conducted 7-months post-randomization to assess initial uptake and compliance.
Results:While 82% of participants believed their doctor would think it was a “good idea” to get vaccinated only 19% “believed they were at risk for getting HPV”. Intervention participants were more compliant to vaccination relative to controls (26 doses vs. 17 doses, p = .12). However, vaccine initiation remained lower than the national average.
Conclusion: While this study was among the first to focus solely on young African-American adolescents in a clinical setting, remove all financial barriers associated with vaccination, and provide a culturally tailored intervention experience grounded in formative research, results were less than optimal. Thorough evaluation is needed to better understand perceived susceptibility and how it changes post-intervention and to determine what occurs during the patient-provider encounter.
Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programsPlanning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Describe reasons for and against HPV vaccination among African American adolescents.
Explain the importance of the provider experience within this population and discuss strategies that could improve vaccination initiation and completion.
Keyword(s): Adolescents, Immunizations
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I served as a Co-Investigator and Project Director for this study. I was responsible for assisting with intervention development, directing implementation, and performing data analysis. Among my research interests has been the development of intervention programs and educational strategies for the prevention of STIs and pregnancy among adolescents.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.