Disparities in How Parents Are Learning about the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

Abstract

Background: Differential access to basic health information may contribute to persistent cervical cancer disparities. We examined whether human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine awareness, HPV knowledge, and use of information sources about the vaccine differ by sociodemographic characteristics associated with cervical cancer. Methods: Study participants (n = 889) were caregivers of adolescent girls ages 10 to 18 years living in southeastern North Carolina. Analyses simultaneously controlled for caregivers' gender, race, age, education, income, and rural residence. Results: Although most caregivers were aware of HPV (83%) and the HPV vaccine (82%), awareness differed by gender, race, education, and income. The largest differences were for race, with 87% of Whites versus 68% of African Americans having heard of the vaccine (P < 0.001). Caregivers correctly answered an average of 69% of questions on HPV, with differences by race

Student Column: Development of a Radionovela to Promote HPV Vaccine Awareness and Knowledge among Latino Parents

“…Knowledge related to HPV and the HPV vaccine may be a key predictor of HPV vaccine uptake. A few studies have demonstrated that parents with higher levels of HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge are more likely to have given permission for their daughters to receive the HPV vaccine 26,27 and are more likely to support vaccine uptake for their daughters. 28,29 Note that these studies have included very few or no U.S. Latino parents and were cross-sectional in design.…”

Acceptability of school requirements for human papillomavirus vaccine

“…35 In brief, nine counties clustered in southeastern North Carolina met study inclusion criteria (higher than average cervical cancer rates and ⩾ 20% African-American residents). After matching eligible counties on population size, proportion of African American residents, and cervical cancer rates, we randomly selected four rural counties to study (Duplin, Harnett, Sampson, and Wayne counties), and chose the one urban county (Cumberland) in this region.…”

“…Of 1,220 eligible parents, 889 (73%) parents participated. 35 The University of North Carolina institutional review board approved the study protocol.…”

Risk Messages About HPV, Cervical Cancer, and the HPV Vaccine Gardasil: A Content Analysis of Canadian and U.S. National Newspaper Articles

“…More specifically, the media was cited as a source of information about the HPV vaccine (Gardasil), and vaccine uptake was associated with media use (including the use of print media) (Hughes et al, 2009). While not intended to be health education material, newspaper articles are a leading source of publicly available health information (MacDonald & Hoffman-Goetz, 2002).…”