HPV Vaccine Acceptability in Postpartum Women Up to 45 years old

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2020

Authors

Allen, Ashley
Dhume, Mahima
Hoang, Christine
Nash, Madeline
Teigen, Kari

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer and dysplasia is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in women's health by virtue of the HPV vaccine. Initiating the HPV vaccine in the immediate postpartum period has proven to be an effective strategy to improve the low vaccine rate amongst women ages 16-26 years. In 2018, the FDA approved women to be vaccinated up to age 45. To impact newly eligible patients similar vaccination programs could be used. PURPOSE: To evaluate eligibility and acceptance of the HPV vaccination among postpartum women up to age 45 in an urban county hospital setting. METHODS: A questionnaire was used to survey postpartum women aged 16-45 on prior vaccination status, desire, and barriers to vaccination. 200 surveys were collected at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. RESULTS: Overall, 18% of respondents reported being previously vaccinated. Among the 82% of patients eligible for vaccination, 69% (95% confidence interval 62% - 76%) desired vaccination. The most common barrier was lack of awareness of the HPV vaccine. CONCLUSION: Results of this survey shows a high proportion of postpartum women are eligible and willing to receive the vaccine if it were available to them. This is an opportunity for healthcare providers to initiate the HPV vaccine series. Methods to eliminate barriers to vaccination such as education of availability in the postpartum period can also improve vaccine acceptability. The results of the survey will be used to implement HPV vaccination accessibility to postpartum women at JPS Hospital.

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