An Evaluation of the Differences in HPV Vaccination Status and Providers Recommendation between Genders and Maternal Educational Levels
Date
2020-08
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Abstract
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates have remained low among adolescents in the United States over the last decade, persevering as a public health concern. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in HPV vaccination status and provider recommendation between genders and maternal educational levels. First, this study addressed if there were differences in HPV vaccination status between female and male adolescents 13-17 years of age. Secondly, this study sought to determine if there were differences in HPV vaccination status based on adolescents’ mothers’ educational levels (mothers of high vs. low educational levels). The study further examined the difference in provider HPV vaccine recommendations to adolescents based on adolescents’ mothers’ educational levels. Lastly, the study explored if there were differences in the likelihood of teens receiving the HPV vaccine in the next 12 months based on the adolescents’ mothers’ educational levels. This study employed a cross-sectional design using data from the 2018 National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen). Chi-square tests of independence and an independent samples t-test were used to analyze the four research questions. The findings of this study determined a significant difference in HPV vaccination status between genders (p = .002). This study also identified a significant difference in provider recommendations between high and low maternal educational levels (p = .001). However, no difference was found in the likelihood of teens receiving the HPV vaccine in the next 12 months between adolescents whose mothers had high or low educational levels. Further research is needed to better understand reasons for lack of provider HPV recommendations.
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A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Public Health
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Thesis
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Keywords
Public Health, Health Education