Advisory Committee Chair
Frank A Franklin
Advisory Committee Members
Susan L Davies
Warner K Huh
Andrzej Kulczycki
M Janice Gilliland
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
2009
Degree Name by School
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) School of Public Health
Abstract
Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. This study examined racial and socio-demographic differences between African Americans and non-Hispanic Whites in Alabama regarding HPV vaccine acceptability. This cross sectional study employed a statewide survey of Alabama parents using a random digit dial phone method conducted through the Survey Research Unit at UAB. Participants were female caregivers of adolescent girls between the ages of 10-14 years. The final sample size was 403. Analyses included descriptive statistics, cross tabulations and odds ratios to assess race/ethnicity and other subgroup differences and logistic regression of intention to vaccinate child against HPV. Factors that were associated with caregivers being less likely to intend to vaccinate a daughter against HPV were Blacks, total family household income between $41,000-60,000 a year, having a 13 year old, Baptists, attending religious services more than once a week, and perceiving a low likelihood of HPV infection. Several health beliefs were also associated with being less likely to intend to vaccinate a daughter; the vaccine is too new, causes lasting health problems, daughter is too young and the vaccine is unsafe. Factors that were associated with caregivers being more likely to intend to vaccinate a daughter against HPV were health care providers as the source of HPV vaccine information, total family household income over $80,000 a year, having an 11 year old, Methodists, attending religious services once a week, supporting mandatory vaccination of boys and girls, perceiving moderate likelihood of HPV infection and not being hard to find a provider without a long wait. Two health beliefs were associated with being more likely to intend to vaccinate a daughter against HPV; belief that HPV causes abnormal Pap smears and that HPV can't clear without treatment. The only predictor in the logistic regression model was the health care provider as the source of HPV vaccine information (OR= 3.59).
Recommended Citation
Litton, Allison G., "Parental attitudes of human papillomavirus vaccination of adolescent girls in Alabama" (2009). All ETDs from UAB. 2306.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/2306