Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Trends Among Adolescents: 2015 to 2020

Associations of geographic-based socioeconomic factors and HPV vaccination among male and female children in five US states

BACKGROUND

We assessed whether five geographic-based socioeconomic factors (medically underserved area (MUA); healthcare provider shortage area (HPSA); persistent poverty; persistent child poverty; and social vulnerability index (SVI)) were associated with the odds of HPV vaccination initiation, series completion, and parental vaccine hesitancy, and whether the observed relationships varied by gender of the child.

METHODS

An online panel service, administered through Qualtrics®, was used to recruit parents of adolescents 9-17 years of age to complete a one-time survey in 2021. Coverage of the panel included five US states: Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Southern Illinois. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to assess population-level associations between five geographic-based socioeconomic factors (MUA; HPSA; persistent poverty; persistent child poverty; and SVI) and three HPV vaccination outcomes (initiation, series completion, and hesitancy). All GEE models were adjusted for age of child and clustering at the state level.

RESULTS

Analyses were conducted using responses from 926 parents about their oldest child in the target age range (9-17 years). The analytic sample consisted of 471 male children and 438 female children across the five states. In adjusted GEE models, persistent child poverty and HPSA were negatively associated with HPV vaccination initiation and series completion among female children, respectively. Among male children, high social vulnerability was negatively associated with HPV vaccine series completion. Additionally, persistent poverty and high social vulnerability were negatively associated with HPV vaccine hesitancy in male children.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this cross-sectional study suggest that geographic-based socioeconomic factors, particularly, HPSA, persistent poverty, and SVI, should be considered when implementing efforts to increase HPV vaccine coverage for adolescents. The approaches to targeting these geographic factors should also be evaluated in future studies to determine if they need to be tailored for male and female children.

Barriers to human papillomavirus vaccine uptake: role of state religiosity and healthcare professionals' participation in a state vaccine program

BACKGROUND

Despite the known benefits of preventing human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers, HPV vaccine coverage is low in the United States. Grounded in Social Ecological theory, we assessed the macro-level (state) and meso-level (organization) factors associated with HPV vaccine initiation and up-to-date.

METHODS

Data from 2020 National Immunization Survey-Teen were used to study a sample of 20 163 US adolescents (aged 13-17 years). The data were collected from each teen's parents or guardians and health-care professionals. Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated, and multivariable regression analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

The prevalence of HPV vaccine initiation was 75.1% and of remaining up-to-date was 58.6%. At the macro level, teens living in states with high and moderate religiosity had lower odds of HPV vaccine initiation (high religiosity adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.50 to 0.78; moderate religiosity AOR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.55 to 0.85) and up-to-date (high religiosity AOR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.56 to 0.85; moderate religiosity AOR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.61 to 0.91) than states with low religiosity. At the meso level, when none of their healthcare professionals ordered vaccine from the state, teens had lower odds of initiation (AOR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.53 to 0.87) and up-to-date (AOR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.60 to 0.95) than teens whose healthcare professionals ordered vaccine from the state. In addition, race and ethnicity, age, mother's education level, household income, well-child examination status, and doctor's recommendation were significantly associated with HPV vaccine uptake.

CONCLUSION

A multiprong approach is needed to address religious and systemic barriers to HPV vaccination and expand healthcare professionals' access and enrollment in state vaccine initiatives, such as the Vaccine for Children program.

Trends in Adolescent Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Parental Hesitancy in the United States

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage remains suboptimal in the United States, underscoring the importance of monitoring trends in vaccine hesitancy.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from the 2011-2020 National Immunization Survey-Teen were used to assess trends in HPV vaccination initiation among 13-17-year-olds, parental intent to initiate vaccination, and primary reasons for parental hesitancy.

RESULTS

Among all sex and race and ethnicity groups, the prevalence of HPV vaccination initiation increased over time, but parental intent to vaccinate against HPV for unvaccinated teens remained consistently low (≤45%). Among hesitant parents, "safety concerns" increased in nearly all demographic groups, with the greatest increases observed for non-Hispanic white female and male teens and no change for non-Hispanic black female teens. In 2019-2020, parents of unvaccinated non-Hispanic white teens were least likely to intend on vaccinating their teens, and the most common reason for hesitancy varied by sex and race and ethnicity (eg, "safety concerns" for white teens and "not necessary" for black female teens).

CONCLUSIONS

Although HPV vaccination initiation increased over time, a substantial fraction of parents remain hesitant, and trends in their reason varied by sex and race and ethnicity. Health campaigns and clinicians should address vaccine safety and necessity.

Parental perceptions of the HPV vaccine for prevention of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers

Background and Objectives

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is implicated in the development of both anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. Although HPV vaccination prevents the majority of anogenital and head and neck cancers (HNC), vaccination rates remain low, especially among males. Known barriers to vaccination are knowledge gaps and vaccine acceptability. The objective of this study is to explore parental knowledge, perceptions, and decision-making processes about HPV and HPV vaccination for both anogenital and HNC.

Methods

This qualitative study recruited parents of children and adolescents aged 8-18 to participate in semi-structured telephone interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analyses, informed by an inductive approach.

Results

A total of 31 parents participated in the study. Six themes emerged: 1) knowledge about HPV vaccines, 2) perceptions and attitudes toward cancers, 3) role of child's sex in HPV vaccination, 4) decision-making processes around HPV vaccination, 5) communication with health care providers about HPV vaccines, and 6) influence of social networks. There were significant knowledge gaps about the vaccine's indications and effects, especially for males and HNC prevention. Parents had concerns related to risks of the HPV vaccine. They cited pediatricians as important sources of information about vaccination and critical to their decision-making.

Conclusions

This study identified many parental knowledge gaps related to HPV vaccination, with information about males, HNC prevention, and risks particularly lacking. As parents identified pediatricians as the most important sources of information regarding HPV vaccination, this should empower pediatricians to educate families about this important preventive health measure, with a focus on addressing concerns about vaccine risks.

Incidence of human papillomavirus-related cancers among males and females aged 15-34 years in the United States

Postmarket surveillance of the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers is essential to monitor the effectiveness of HPV vaccines. We directly compared HPV-related cancer incidences during the pre- and postvaccine era to assess the effects of HPV vaccination among vaccine-eligible age groups in the United States using data from the US Cancer Statistics database. The 5-year average annual incidence rates for HPV-related cancers decreased in 2015-2019 compared with 2002-2006 among females aged 15-24 years and 25-34 years. Overall, a decrease in young males was not observed, whereas males aged 25-34 years experienced a slight decline in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019. Incidence rates for HPV-related cancers statistically significantly decreased in the vaccine era compared with the prevaccine era among females aged 15-34 years, suggesting the potential early effects of the introduction of HPV vaccination in the United States.

Provider and Practice Factors Associated With On-Time HPV Vaccination in Primary Care

BACKGROUND

In 2018, only one third of girls and boys completed the 2-dose series of the human papillomavirus vaccine by their 13th birthday, the target for on-time vaccination. The study objective was to identify key patient, provider and practice-level factors associated with on-time vaccination in the primary care setting.

METHODS

We examined data from 20 primary care pediatric practices (89 providers) in St. Louis including: the percentage of eligible patients with on-time vaccination assessed from medical records; providers' knowledge, attitudes and behaviors regarding on-time vaccination assessed with a survey; and practice-level strategies used to optimize vaccine delivery assessed with a 19-item vaccine delivery system score (VDSS). Factors that increased on-time vaccination were identified using logistic regression, controlling for clustering within providers.

RESULTS

Completion of on-time vaccination occurred in 1347/3125 (43.10%) of patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 41.36%-44.86%) and varied among practices (7.39%-64.24%) and among providers (2.63%-82.50%). Independent predictors for higher completion of on-time vaccination included more frequent use by providers of the announcement style for vaccine recommendation (odds ratio [OR] 1.18, 95% CI, 1.04, 1.35), higher provider self-efficacy to deliver the vaccine according to guideline recommendations if parents were hesitant (OR 1.21, 95% CI, 1.05, 1.40), and higher VDSS (OR 1.20, 95% CI, 1.10, 1.31).

CONCLUSIONS

Provider and practice-level factors were identified that may represent modifiable targets for improvement in on-time vaccine uptake. Future research is needed to test interventions built on these findings.