Cancer fatalism is associated with HPV vaccine uptake among Hispanic emerging adult women in the US

Abstract

Objective

Despite the availability of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, only a small percentage of Hispanic emergent adults in the United States have actually had the vaccination. Due to cancer fatalism, some Hispanic emerging adults may perceive fewer benefits from the HPV vaccine, regardless of its positive health effects. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between cancer fatalism, knowledge of HPV-associated cancers, and HPV vaccination among Hispanic emerging adult women.

Study design

Between August and December of 2020, a cross-sectional study was conducted among Hispanic college women aged 18 to 26. A complete case study was conducted with 689 participants. Using an adjusted logistic regression model, the potential factors associated with HPV vaccine uptake were identified. The current research was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of the participating universities.

Results

Only 55.6 % of the study population had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine. The study found that HPV vaccine uptake was positively associated with HPV associated cancer knowledge (aOR = 1.32; 95 % CI = 1.18, 1.47) and was inversely associated with cancer fatalism (aOR = 0.97; 95 % CI = 0.94, 1.00).

Conclusion

According to the results of our study, the HPV vaccination rate among Hispanic emerging adult women is low, and it is necessary to identify the factors that influence vaccination rates. There is a critical, unmet need for innovative approaches to improve HPV vaccination in this population and mitigate the incidence of HPV-related cancers.

Implications

Multiple intervention strategies are required to increase vaccination rates among this population. This study suggests implementing culturally tailored health promotion initiatives that reduce fatalistic beliefs among this population. Furthermore, developing a culturally tailored, age-specific HPV vaccine education and promotion program to increase HPV-associated cancer knowledge among Hispanic emerging adults.