Abstract
Background: Despite annual increases in HPV vaccination, uptake rates remain lower than other childhood vaccines while cases of HPV-associated cancers have increased, particularly in rural areas. This study aimed to understand vaccination attitudes among patients at a rural Oklahoma clinic.
Methods: We analyzed data from a survey of parents/caregivers of children aged 9-17 and young adults (YA) aged 18-26 on HPV knowledge, vaccination status, provider recommendation, and reasons for vaccine decision.
Results: The survey yielded 15 YA and 14 caregiver responses. Of YAs, 67% received a vaccine recommendation from a health care provider versus 79% of children. Of these, 80% and 74% respectively had initiated vaccination. Provider recommendation was a top reason for vaccination while “afraid of side effects” was a top reason for refusing vaccination.
Conclusion: Because rural areas lag urban in HPV vaccination, opportunities exist to train rural providers on HPV vaccine messaging to increase rates in these communities.
Methods: We analyzed data from a survey of parents/caregivers of children aged 9-17 and young adults (YA) aged 18-26 on HPV knowledge, vaccination status, provider recommendation, and reasons for vaccine decision.
Results: The survey yielded 15 YA and 14 caregiver responses. Of YAs, 67% received a vaccine recommendation from a health care provider versus 79% of children. Of these, 80% and 74% respectively had initiated vaccination. Provider recommendation was a top reason for vaccination while “afraid of side effects” was a top reason for refusing vaccination.
Conclusion: Because rural areas lag urban in HPV vaccination, opportunities exist to train rural providers on HPV vaccine messaging to increase rates in these communities.
Original language | American English |
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Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Oklahoma State Medical Proceedings |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 1 |
State | Published - 30 May 2023 |
Keywords
- human papillomavirus
- HPV vaccine
- vaccine hesitancy
- provider recommendation
- rural
- cancer