Sources of Information in Regard to HPV and Vaccination Among Hispanic/Latino College Students

Document Type

Conference Abstract

Publication Date

10-2020

Publication Title

APHA Annual Meeting and Expo 2020 Abstracts

Abstract

Background/Significance: Hispanic students had a lower rate of HPV vaccination initiation (46%) compared to their Caucasian counterparts (51%). Limited studies identifying HPV information seeking and communication channels focus on Hispanic/Latino college students.

Purposes: (a) identified sources and communications regarding HPV information and (b) factors associated with sources of HPV information among Hispanic/Latino college students in the U.S.

Methods: Using a self-report questionnaire and convenience sampling, 209 participants were recruited from different US universities.

Results: Only 72% had heard of HPV and HPV vaccine. The majority used health professionals (50%) as their sources and communications of HPV information. Participants having been vaccinated were more likely to use family members (OR = 2.841, 95%CI: 1.127-7.143, p = 0.027) and health professionals (OR = 3.44, 95%CI: 1.742-6.803, p < .001) as sources of HPV information. Participants with better HPV knowledge were more likely to use television (OR = 1.032, 95%CI: 1.013-1.052, p = 0.001), school teachers (OR = 1.019, 95%CI: 1.003-1.035, p = 0.018), and health professionals (OR = 1.025, 95%CI: 1.011-1.041, p = 0.001) as sources of HPV information. Catholic participants (OR = 2.034, 95%CI: 1.011-4.093, p = 0.047) were more likely to use the internet as a source of HPV information.

Discussion/Conclusions: Television, healthcare professionals, family members, and school teachers influenced HPV vaccination and HPV knowledge among Hispanic/Latino students. Future policy, research, and practices should focus on tailoring interventions that fit students’ communication styles for health information. Religious faith may affect health information seeking behaviors among Hispanics and needs further investigation.

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2020 © American Public Health Association

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