e17531 Background: Despite the advent of effective and affordable prevention methods, disparities in HPV-related cancers persist in Hispanic populations. This disparity has been related in part to lack of knowledge and access, whereas ASCO, AACR and other national organizations have jointly endorsed strong support for HPV vaccination in order to eradicate HPV-related cancers. Thus, we evaluated HPV vaccination knowledge and uptake among women and their children in an urban, largely immigrant Hispanic community. Methods: Hispanic women aged 21 and older were administered intercept surveys in their preferred language (Spanish or English) by trained interviewers from 2015-2018 at community sites across east Los Angeles. Standardized questions were used to assess cervical cancer knowledge and HPV vaccine uptake of participants and their children aged 9-26, if applicable. Results: Respondents (n = 770, mean age = 47.4) disproportionately spoke Spanish at home (88.7%) and were uninsured (25.2%). Among respondents, 61.5% had heard of the HPV vaccine. Of these, 59.4% had heard about it through a healthcare provider, 36.4% through TV and 13.9% from family and friends. Only 7.8% of respondents, 25.1% of their sons and 45.8% of their daughters aged 9-26 had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine. Further, only 28.1% of women interviewed endorsed knowing what causes cervical cancer, of whom only 52.4% attributed the main cause of cervical cancer to HPV, STIs or sexual activity. Conclusions: Our findings support that healthcare providers remain the primary source of information on HPV vaccination, with substantial gaps in knowledge and uptake of the HPV vaccine in this sample compared to the national average. Gender disparities in HPV vaccination observed in this sample may reflect differences in provider counseling, with boys being less likely to receive the vaccine despite AAP and CDC recommendations for HPV vaccination of all adolescents and young adults (AYAs). In the context of growing vaccine hesitancy, our results highlight the important role of clinicians in providing evidence-based education and ensuring equitable vaccine uptake to eradicate HPV-related cancers. HPV vaccine uptake among participants and their children aged 9-26. % Participants Have you received the HPV vaccine: Yes 7.8 60/770 Among participants with HPV vaccine-eligible children (aged 9-26), # of doses that children have received Males 0 doses 74.8 98/131 1 dose 5.3 7/131 2-3 doses 19.8 26/131 Females 0 doses 54.3 70/129 1 dose 7.8 10/129 2-3 doses 38.0 49/129
Po et al. (Thu,) studied this question.