Why human papilloma virus vaccination coverage is low among adolescents in the US? A study of barriers for vaccination uptake

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer and Human papillomavirus (HPV) affects women, men, and children of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. The objective of this study is to examine the association between adolescent (13–17 years) HPV vaccination uptake and the key factors influencing the uptake rates of HPV vaccination. Materials and Methods: The 2016 NIS-Teen data, an annual survey conducted by the CDC to monitor vaccination uptake in the United States is used for this study. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate the relationship between various factors and HPV vaccine uptake. Results: Male adolescents were 0.26 times less likely to get the HPV vaccines; adolescents covered by private health insurance were 0.18 times less likely to get HPV vaccines; Hispanic adolescents were 1.47 times more likely, adolescents from other races including Asians were 1.75 times more likely to get vaccinated for HPV compared to non-Hispanic white adolescents. Adolescents from the low-income families were 1.21 times more likely to get vaccinated for HPV; adolescents from North-eastern regions of the United States were 1.62 times more likely to get vaccinated; adolescents who were not recommended for vaccination by the family physicians were 0.43 times less likely to get HPV vaccination; adolescents who did not have any safety concerns and concerns about side effects were 3.24 times more likely to get the HPV vaccine; adolescents from households that did have not orthodox religious beliefs were 13.67 times more likely to get vaccinated. Conclusions: Vaccination uptake rates are low for adolescents in the US and the results of this study identified important barriers which need to be addressed in order to improve vaccine uptake rates among the target groups which are less likely to get vaccinated. Also, knowing the sociodemographic and community level factors associated with HPV vaccination uptake status, health planners can better plan strategies to improve HPV vaccination in their local settings.

Burden and Prevention of HPV. Knowledge, Practices and Attitude Assessment Among Pre-Adolescents and their Parents in Italy

“…Several studies have analyzed the possible barriers for HPV vaccination uptake in the recent years [ 54 ].…”

Barriers to childhood vaccination as perceived by accredited social health activists and multipurpose health workers in Mewat, Haryana (India): A qualitative research

“…[ 8 ] Vaccination per se is not confined to children, and some more studies relevant to the identification of such barriers have been conducted in the recent past. [ 9 10 11 12 ]…”

Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination

“…Uptake of the vaccination has been a public health issue of concern since the vaccines inception, with a survey completed in 2016 noting approximately 87% of adolescents did not have parental support for receiving the vaccine and approximately 89% noting religious reasons for not receiving the vaccine [41]. Many believe this to be due to religious concerns of promiscuity following vaccination.…”