HPV vaccination among lesbian and bisexual women: Findings from a national survey of young adults

Annie Laurie McRee, Mira L. Katz, Electra D. Paskett, Paul L. Reiter

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    54 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and associated cervical disease are common among all women, regardless of sexual identity, yet limited research has examined HPV vaccination among lesbian and bisexual women. Methods: A national sample of lesbian and bisexual women ages 18-26 (n= 543) completed our online survey during Fall 2013. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify correlates of HPV vaccine initiation (receipt of at least 1 dose) and completion (receipt of all 3 recommended doses among initiators). Results: Overall, 45% of respondents had initiated HPV vaccine and 70% of initiators reported completing the series. HPV vaccine initiation was higher among respondents who were students, had received a healthcare provider's recommendation, perceived greater positive social vaccination norms, or anticipated greater regret if they did not get vaccinated and later got HPV. Initiation was lower among those who perceived greater HPV vaccine harms or greater barriers to getting the vaccine (all p<.05). HPV vaccine completion was higher among initiators who had a college degree while it was lower among those who perceived a greater likelihood of acquiring HPV or who anticipated greater regret if they got the vaccine and fainted (all p<.05). Among HPV vaccine initiators who had not yet completed the series, about half (47%) intended to get the remaining doses. Conclusions: Many lesbian and bisexual women are not getting vaccinated against HPV. Healthcare provider recommendations and women's health beliefs may be important leverage points for increasing vaccination among this population.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)4736-4742
    Number of pages7
    JournalVaccine
    Volume32
    Issue number37
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Aug 20 2014

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    Support provided, in part, by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health ( P30CA016058 ).

    Funding Information:
    Conflict of interest statement : PLR and EDP have received research grants from Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. PLR has also received a research grant from Cervical Cancer-Free America, via an unrestricted educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline. These funds were not used to support this research study. ALM conducted all analyses and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. ALM, PLR, MLK, and EDP critically reviewed and revised the manuscript. No honorarium, grant, or other form of payment was given to the authors to produce the manuscript.

    Keywords

    • HPV vaccine
    • Human papillomavirus
    • Lesbian and bisexual women
    • Vaccination
    • Young adults

    PubMed: MeSH publication types

    • Journal Article
    • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

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