Factors Associated with HPV Vaccine Awareness in a Population-Based Sample of Hispanic Women in Puerto Rico.
The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with HPV awareness among women aged 16 to 64 years, among underserved minority Hispanic women living in Puerto Rico.



A population-based, cross-sectional sample of 566 women, ages 16 to 64 years, living in the San Juan metropolitan area were surveyed regarding sexual behavior, HPV knowledge, and HPV vaccine uptake. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression.



Overall, 64.8 % of the women in the sample had heard about the HPV vaccine. Among those in the recommended catch-up vaccination age range (16-26 years, n = 86), 4.7 % had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine. Of those aware of the availability of the HPV vaccine, most had learned about it through the media, whereas, only 39.6 % had learned about it from a physician. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HPV awareness (OR 8.6; 95 % CI 5.0-14.8) and having had an abnormal Pap smear (OR 2.0; 95 % CI 1.2-3.4) were associated with HPV vaccine awareness (p < 0.05).



HPV vaccine awareness among Hispanic women in the San Juan metropolitan area of Puerto Rico continues to be low. Strong recommendations from physicians and participation in HPV vaccine educational efforts are essential if the rate of HPV vaccination is to increase in the targeted population. Compared to the USA, and to their US Hispanic counterparts, a health disparity with regard to HPV vaccine awareness and coverage is evident in Puerto Rico; targeted action to deal with this disparity is urgently needed.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico. josefina.romaguera@upr.edu.
J
J
Romaguera
School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
D
D
Caballero-Varona
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.|University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
G
G
Tortolero-Luna
University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico.|Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
E
E
Marrero
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
E
E
Suárez
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
C M
CM
Pérez
University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico.|Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
C
C
Muñoz
University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
J
J
Palefsky
University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico.|Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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AP
Ortiz
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D011647:Puerto Rico; D055815:Young Adult
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
HPV vaccine; Health awareness; Health disparities; Hispanics; Human papillomavirus; Puerto Ricans