Laying the Foundation for Quality Improvement: HPV Knowledge and HPV Vaccine Uptake and Attitudes Among Rural Clinic Patients

Adrianna Elbon, Krista Schumacher, Tracy Freudenthaler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages11
JournalOklahoma State Medical Proceedings
Volume7
Issue number1
StatePublished - 30 May 2023

Keywords

  • human papillomavirus
  • HPV vaccine
  • vaccine hesitancy
  • provider recommendation
  • rural
  • cancer

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Laying the Foundation for Quality Improvement: HPV Knowledge and HPV Vaccine Uptake and Attitudes Among Rural Clinic Patients'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this