Factors that Predict HPV Vaccination Behavior Among Young Men-Who-Have-Sex-with-Men in the Greater Philadelphia Region.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the USA. HPV is acknowledged as one of the leading causes of anal cancer, with an increased risk in men who have sex with men (MSM), when compared to age-matched heterosexual men. This study highlights the various factors that influence and impede HPV vaccination uptake among a multiracial cohort of young-MSM (YMSM). A total of 444 participants aged 18 to 27 in the Greater Philadelphia region completed an online survey. Approximately 75.79% (n = 335) of participants did not receive at least one dose of the HPV vaccine. Having a healthcare provider recommendation (OR = 25.54, 95% CI: 25.54-85.42, p < 0.001) and a one unit increase in experiences of adverse effects of stigma and homophobia (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.11, p = 0.044) were associated with a greater likelihood of receiving the HPV vaccine uptake. Having a greater number of sexual partners (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.75-0.97, p = 0.014) and having had condomless anal sex in the past 6 months (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.15-0.58, p < 0.001) were associated with a lower odds of HPV vaccine uptake. In conclusion, healthcare provider-focused interventions and educational programs are needed to increase awareness and uptake of the HPV vaccine to mitigate the risks associated with sexual behaviors among this population.

Effects of Neighborhood Ethnic Density and Psychosocial Factors on Colorectal Cancer Screening Behavior Among Asian American Adults, Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey, United States, 2014-2019.

INTRODUCTION: We examined how neighborhood ethnic composition influences colorectal cancer (CRC) screening behavior in Asian American adults and explored whether associations between psychosocial predictors, including knowledge, self-efficacy, and barriers affecting CRC screening behavior, varied by level of neighborhood ethnic composition. METHODS: Filipino, Korean, and Vietnamese Americans (N = 1,158) aged 50 years or older were included in the study. Psychosocial factors associated with CRC screening, CRC screening behavior, and sociodemographic characteristics were extracted from participants' data. Neighborhood ethnic composition was characterized as the census-tract-level percentage of Asian residents. Participants' addresses were geocoded to the census tract level to determine whether they resided in an ethnically dense neighborhood. Multilevel logistic regression models were run with and without interaction terms. RESULTS: In mixed-effects logistic regression model 1, residing in an ethnically dense neighborhood was associated with lower odds of CRC screening (odds ratio [OR] = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.45-0.93; P = .02) after controlling for age, sex, education, ethnic group, and neighborhood socioeconomic status. Greater perceived barriers to CRC screening (OR = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.50-0.77; P < .001) resulted in significantly lower odds of obtaining a CRC screening, while higher self-efficacy (OR = 1.17, 95% CI, 1.11-1.23, P < .001) was associated with higher odds. In model 2, among those residing in a high ethnic density neighborhood, greater barriers to screening were associated with lower odds of having obtained a CRC screening (OR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.30-0.96; P = .04). CONCLUSION: We found that residing in an ethnically dense neighborhood indicated higher disparities in obtaining CRC screenings. Future studies should examine socioeconomic and cultural disparities, as well as disparities in the built environment, that are characteristic of ethnically dense neighborhoods and assess the impact of these disparities on CRC screening behaviors.