ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To examined human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates and identified factors that are associated with HPV vaccination among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) young adults aged 18-34. METHODS: Data from the 2014 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander National Health Interview Survey were analyzed. The outcome variables were HPV vaccination initiation (receipt of ≥1 dose) and completion (receipt of ≥3 doses). Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify socio-demographic, healthcare access and utilization factors that were associated with HPV vaccination. RESULTS: A total of 663 adults were included in the study. The overall HPV vaccination initiation and completion rates were 17.6% and 7.9%, respectively. Most of the respondents who had initiated and completed the vaccine were women, of multiple race, un-married, had some college or associate degree, insured, and had a usual place of getting care. In the weighted multivariable models, men were less likely to initiate (AORâ¯=â¯0.21, 95% CIâ¯=â¯0.12, 0.34) and complete (AORâ¯=â¯0.16, 95% CIâ¯=â¯0.07, 0.34) the HPV vaccination compared with women. CONCLUSIONS: The low HPV vaccination coverage found in this study signals the need for more evidence-based, culturally relevant immunization and cancer prevention interventions for NHPIs. Failure to improve HPV vaccination rates may increase the burden of HPV associated preventable cancers among NHPIs and broaden disparities.
