The Patient Perspective on the HPV Vaccine and Its Recently Expanded Coverage [33F]

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to explore the patient understanding of HPV and its vaccine and to ascertain any pertinent biases. The human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine was recently FDA approved to extend coverage to age 45 instead of age 26. The vaccine is recommended by ACOG for males and females aged 9-45. METHODS: Between April and June 2019, patients of WVU Medicine OBGYN completed a one-time survey at their well-woman examination. The survey was created to assess associations between socioeconomic variables, sexual history, and the patient perception of the HPV virus and vaccine. RESULTS: A total of 200 women participated. The average age was 45 with most currently sexually active (84%). While most women reported that they were in support of vaccines (95%), the majority of women without a previous HPV vaccination reported they were not interested in receiving the vaccine themselves (48%) but were more likely to be in favor to vaccinate their sons (57%). It should be noted 0 women reported all of the correct cancers associated with HPV with only 7 women reporting the association with head and neck cancers. Almost a quarter of women (21%) incorrectly believed HPV had links to uterine and ovarian cancer. CONCLUSION: There are visible gaps regarding HPV and its vaccine. A major gap is the paucity of knowledge of the types of cancers HPV can cause. Physicians can recognize potential candidates and implement more education within the well-woman visit to make sure women are well-informed about HPV and the vaccine.