Date of Award

Summer 8-12-2014

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

Public Health

First Advisor

Dr. Shanta R. Dube

Second Advisor

Dr. Ike S. Okosun

Abstract

Background: Human Papillomavirus is the most common STI in United States and is most prevalent among the adolescents and young adults. HPV causes cervical, anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile, oropharyngeal cancers and ano-genital warts. Certain populations are found to be at higher risk such as African Americans. 3 doses of HPV vaccine are recommended to adolescents before sexual debut to immunize against HPV. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors associated with the completion of 3 dose HPV vaccination series particularly among the African American adolescents.

Methods: National Immunization Survey – Teen 2012 data was used to assess the association of selected factors with the completion of 3 dose HPV vaccination series among the African American adolescents. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression was conducted.

Results: Factors, gender, age and maternal education are associated with the completion of HPV vaccination series among the African American adolescents. The Black females are 5 times more likely to complete the HPV vaccination than males. The 15 year olds are thrice more likely to complete the HPV vaccination than 13 year olds. Adolescents with maternal education higher than high school are twice more likely to complete the HPV vaccination series.

Conclusion: Among the African American adolescents, socio-demographic factors influence the completion of HPV vaccine series. This study provides a direction to public health practices to focus on Black male adolescents and subpopulations with low maternal education to improve HPV vaccination in US.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/5866596

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