title: Racial/Ethnic Disparities in HPV Vaccine Uptake Among a Sample of College Women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to determine the association between racial/ethnic status and uptake and completion of the HPV vaccine series in college women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were recruited from a large university in North Central Florida. Young women between 18 and 26 years of age who were currently enrolled in a college course comprised the study sample. Participants completed an anonymous online survey that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, gynecological healthcare utilization, and perception of risk to HPV-associated diseases. Multivariable analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between racial/ethnic status and HPV vaccination status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 835 with complete data (51.0 % white, 16.5 % black, 13.8 % Hispanic, 8.3 % Asian, and 9.9 % other), 53 % had initiated (receipt of at least one dose) the three-dose HPV vaccine series. Of those who initiated, 70 % indicated that they had completed all three doses. In adjusted analysis, blacks were significantly less likely to report initiation [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 0.78; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.63, 0.97] and completion (aPR = 0.64; 95 % CI: 0.48, 0.84) of the three dose HPV vaccine as compared to whites. Although completion rates were lower in all other racial/ethnic groups as compared to whites, these rates did not reach statistical significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings are consistent with research from other types of settings and demonstrate lower initiation and completion rates of HPV vaccine among black women attending college as compared to their white counterparts. Additional research is needed to understand why black college women have low initiation and completion rates.
authors: Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health & Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Road, P.O Box 100231, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA. emekaokafor@phhp.ufl.edu.
authors: Chukwuemeka
authors: C
authors: Okafor
authors: Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health & Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Road, P.O Box 100231, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
authors: Xingdi
authors: X
authors: Hu
authors: Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health & Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Road, P.O Box 100231, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
authors: Robert L
authors: RL
authors: Cook
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014495:Universities; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
keywords: College women; HPV vaccine; Human papillomavirus; Racial/ethnic disparities; Vaccination