HPV Vaccine Beliefs and Correlates of Uptake Among Hispanic Women and Their Children on the US-Mexico Border

INTRODUCTION: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection nationally. Although preventable, uptake of the HPV vaccine is low. The purpose of this study was to describe HPV vaccine knowledge and beliefs and psychosocial correlates of vaccine uptake among adult females and their children in a US-Mexico border community. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a survey of uninsured women aged 21-65 years living in Texas who were due for cervical cancer screening. We utilized descriptive statistics to report demographic and psychosocial variables. We used logistic regression analysis to identify correlates of prior vaccine uptake. RESULTS: 599 women completed surveys: mean age was 44.69 years, 97.8%, were Hispanic and 86% were Spanish speaking; 5% had been vaccinated. Awareness of HPV infection & HPV vaccine was 81.6% & 68.6% respectively. Scores for mean perceived susceptibility was low and mean perceived benefits was high; the mean score for knowledge was 3.69 out of 6. Common parental barriers to child vaccination were cost, lack of accessibility and lack of information. Correlates of past HPV vaccine uptake among adult women were younger age, monthly income of $2,500-$5,000, full-time employment, US birth, and higher perceived severity of HPV. Older age was a correlate of vaccine uptake for daughters. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Findings revealed low HPV vaccine uptake among adult Hispanic women, but high vaccine acceptability for their sons and daughters. Culturally tailored educational interventions are needed to improve HPV knowledge and HPV vaccine uptake among adults and their children.