Working to close the gap: identifying predictors of HPV vaccine uptake among young African American women

J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2011 May;22(2):549-61. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2011.0060.

Abstract

Factors associated with greater likelihood of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among women who experience excess cervical cancer incidence and mortality requires further study. The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with HPV vaccine uptake among young African American women. Three hundred sixty-three African American women aged 18-26 were recruited from Historically Black Colleges/Universities to complete a questionnaire to assess health beliefs associated with HPV vaccination. One quarter of participants reported uptake of the HPV vaccine. Women who reported uptake had significantly higher HPV knowledge, lower perceived barriers to vaccination, and were younger (all p<.05). Factors significantly associated with HPV vaccine uptake included HPV knowledge (OR=1.22), perceived severity of health outcomes (OR=0.48), perceived barriers to vaccination (OR=0.49), cues to action (OR=1.94), and age (OR=0.68). Findings can be used to inform the development of targeted HPV vaccine promotion programs for African American women to prevent continued cervical cancer disparities.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Health Status Disparities*
  • Humans
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / ethnology*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / ethnology*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Papillomavirus Vaccines