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A significant portion of college students are not aware of HPV disease and HPV vaccine recommendations

2019; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 15; Issue: 7-8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/21645515.2019.1627819

2164-554X

Caitlyn Kellogg, Janella Shu, Ayana Arroyo, Ngoc Tuyen Dinh, Nia Wade, Elizabeth Sanchez, Ozlem Equils,

Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology

There is limited data on the HPV immunization status of Latino/Hispanic youth in the USA. In Los Angeles County in 2015, 54,973 (34.3%) college students were of Latino/Hispanic background. We examined Los Angeles County college students' awareness of HPV and HPV-related disease, HPV vaccine recommendations, and their vaccination status. This study surveyed 212 Los Angeles college students from January to April 2018. In a convenience sampling study, a 31-question, IRB-approved survey was administered face-to-face to college students 18 years and older at California State University settings in Los Angeles County. Almost two-thirds of the male (65%) and half of the female (51.6%) respondents did not know that the HPV vaccine is recommended through 26 years of age, and 47.6% did not know they can get the HPV vaccine at the college student health center or youth-friendly clinics. Ethnicity, family income, and the highest level of education in the family had a significant impact on immunization rates. Self-reported and actual HPV knowledge levels were significantly associated with vaccination status. Educational strategies focusing on the logistics of receiving the HPV vaccine and HPV vaccine catch-up eligibility for college students may be effective in decreasing racial disparities in vaccine receipt.