Variation in Female HPV Vaccination Among Novel Native-Immigrant Attributes: Implications for Cultural Uniformity
Open Access
- Author:
- Marschka, Mary-kate
- Area of Honors:
- Health Policy and Administration
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Patricia Y Miranda-Hartsuff, Thesis Supervisor
Dr. Rhonda Be Lue, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- HPV Vaccine
Human papillomavirus
Cervical Cancer
Cancer Screening
Health Disparities
Immigrants
Cross-Cultural - Abstract:
- Research estimates that 70% of women will be infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) within the five years succeeding their first sexual experience. Since 2006, girls and women have obtained the HPV vaccine to protect themselves against cancerous cells and the most common sexually transmitted disease worldwide. While the vaccine has emanated support in the health care community, rates of vaccination fall well under anticipated levels. The current study aimed to identify correlates of vaccine obtainment and three-dose completion in a sample of high-risk females age 10-17, and reveal whether immigrant differentials alter said outcomes. Significantly missed opportunities exist in HPV vaccination among immigrant females who are disproportionately burdened by cervical cancer. This study is unique in being the first to address generational status as a conceivable pathway through which HPV vaccine rates differ in the U.S. Data from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health was analyzed using multivariate logit regression, chi-square analyses, ANOVA, and t-tests. Results revealed that most correlates contributed directly or indirectly to vaccine behavior. Uptake (15.5%) of the vaccine was low. Of females who initiated, 31% completed the full three-dose vaccine series. Categorizing females according to generational status exposed more marked disparities in care access and utilization than in vaccine behavior. Cross-cultural vaccine associations were most revealing among racial groups as opposed to nativity. Females recommended by their provider to receive the vaccine had nearly 15 times greater odds of obtaining at least one vaccine dose than those without similar communication. Bridging the disparate gap between native-immigrant populations in HPV vaccine research has the potential to expedite cultural uniformity among women by increasing uptake; leading to fewer HPV infections, cervical cancer diagnoses, and ultimately saved lives.