Strengthening HPV Vaccination Recommendations During STI Screenings
Abstract
STD rates continue to rise in Georgia. As public health continues to find avenues to overcome this burden of disease, a higher focus on HPV vaccination especially among adults is crucial for the well-being of Georgia residents. HPV vaccination rates continue to be lower than expected among adolescents with Whitfield County at 49% receiving two doses, compared to 60% at the state level. Due to these low rates at the recommended age range, it’s important to continue to recommend HPV vaccination through age forty-five, especially for those who receive STD testing.
A retrospective cohort study utilizing data obtained from Whitfield County Health Department ‘s medical record system was conducted from 2017-2022. Due to the large sample size (n=13,319), a Chi-Square analysis was used to analyze records for those tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. An Odds Ratio was calculated to evaluate the odds of testing positive for Chlamydia and/or Gonorrhea. This study focuses on the correlation between HPV vaccination and STD rates in Whitfield County. This study also evaluates racial disparities regarding healthcare access and vaccination rates.
The odds of someone testing positive for Gonorrhea who is unvaccinated is 1.85 times the odds of testing positive for Gonorrhea who is vaccinated (p=0.05). The median age for STD testing in Whitfield County is 26 (12-75) which further illustrates the need for continued HPV vaccination recommendations at the point of care. There is a significant association between race and HPV vaccination status. Black people who are tested for STDs are more likely to be unvaccinated for HPV than White people in Whitfield County (p<0.0001). Public health must promote HPV vaccination for all eligible persons and find new opportunities to better reach all our community members.
Keywords
HPV, STD, Vaccination, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Outreach
Strengthening HPV Vaccination Recommendations During STI Screenings
STD rates continue to rise in Georgia. As public health continues to find avenues to overcome this burden of disease, a higher focus on HPV vaccination especially among adults is crucial for the well-being of Georgia residents. HPV vaccination rates continue to be lower than expected among adolescents with Whitfield County at 49% receiving two doses, compared to 60% at the state level. Due to these low rates at the recommended age range, it’s important to continue to recommend HPV vaccination through age forty-five, especially for those who receive STD testing.
A retrospective cohort study utilizing data obtained from Whitfield County Health Department ‘s medical record system was conducted from 2017-2022. Due to the large sample size (n=13,319), a Chi-Square analysis was used to analyze records for those tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. An Odds Ratio was calculated to evaluate the odds of testing positive for Chlamydia and/or Gonorrhea. This study focuses on the correlation between HPV vaccination and STD rates in Whitfield County. This study also evaluates racial disparities regarding healthcare access and vaccination rates.
The odds of someone testing positive for Gonorrhea who is unvaccinated is 1.85 times the odds of testing positive for Gonorrhea who is vaccinated (p=0.05). The median age for STD testing in Whitfield County is 26 (12-75) which further illustrates the need for continued HPV vaccination recommendations at the point of care. There is a significant association between race and HPV vaccination status. Black people who are tested for STDs are more likely to be unvaccinated for HPV than White people in Whitfield County (p<0.0001). Public health must promote HPV vaccination for all eligible persons and find new opportunities to better reach all our community members.
