Abstract A155: Factors associated with HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening among Hispanic/Latina women in the US

Abstract Hispanic/Latina women have higher rates of cervical cancer than many other racial/ethnic groups in the US. HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening can help reduce cancer morbidity and mortality in this population. In two studies, the present research examined sociodemographic and cultural correlates of four cervical cancer prevention behaviors in Hispanic/Latina women: 1) HPV vaccine initiation, 2) HPV vaccine completion, 3) ever screening for cervical cancer, and 4) being up to date with cervical cancer screening. Study 1 examined sociodemographic correlates of these behaviors in a large sample of US Hispanic/Latina women from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Study 2 examined whether endorsement of the cultural values of simpatía (i.e., expressing warmth and positivity to avoid conflict and promote harmony in social interactions) and familism (i.e., supportive familial relationships that emphasize commitment to and prioritization of the family) were associated with cervical cancer prevention behaviors while controlling for the sociodemographic variables from Study 1. In both studies, participants were aged 18-65. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine associations of sociocultural factors with cervical cancer prevention behaviors. Results from Study 1 suggested that age (OR = .87, 95% CI: .84, .91), income (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.003, 1.25), and having health insurance (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.16, 3.25) were positively associated with HPV vaccine initiation (1 dose). Education (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.74) was positively associated with HPV vaccine completion (3 doses) whereas lesbian sexual orientation (OR = .16, 95% CI: .03, .88) was negatively associated with vaccine completion. Age (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.06), education (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.20), income (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.15), being insured (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.53, 2.26), married relationship status (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.96, 2.97), and divorced relationship status (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.52, 2.63) were positively associated with ever screening for cervical cancer. Age (OR = .96, 95% CI: .95, .96) was negatively associated with being up to date with screening. Lesbian sexual orientation was negatively associated with ever screening (OR = .51, 95% CI: .30, .89) and being up to date with screening (OR = .42, 95% CI: .24, .74). Results from Study 2 suggested that endorsement of simpatía was positively associated with HPV vaccine initiation even while controlling for sociodemographic variables (OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.13, 4.51). Age, income, sexual orientation, and having health insurance were consistently related to cervical cancer prevention behaviors among Hispanic/Latina women in the US. Aside from sociodemographic factors, endorsing simpatía was positively associated with HPV vaccine initiation. Incorporating simpatía into health messaging may increase HPV vaccination rates for this population. Future research should examine the potential mechanisms through which the association between simpatía and HPV vaccine initiation occurs. Citation Format: Jacqueline Hua, William M. P. Klein, Amanda M. Acevedo. Factors associated with HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening among Hispanic/Latina women in the US abstract. In: Proceedings of the 18th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2025 Sep 18-21; Baltimore, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A155.