Abstract
Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines that protect against most cervical cancers are widely available; however, HPV vaccination uptake is low in states and regions with low cervical cancer screening rates and greater cervical cancer morbidity and mortality. Provider recommendation is a key facilitator for vaccine uptake. Assessing vaccine recommendations given by primary care providers (PCPs) serving populations at increased risk for developing cervical cancer is critical to reduce health disparities and unnecessary clinical services. Methods: Data were collected from 98 PCPs in 15 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) clinics in Illinois between August 2009 and March 2010 using a cross-sectional survey to assess HPV vaccine recommendations and beliefs. Federally Qualified Health Centers are safety-net clinics serving individuals who disproportionately face cost and access barriers to healthcare. Results: The PCPs completing this survey were primarily Obstetricians/Gynecologists (56%) and Family Practice (35%) physicians serving a low-income and underinsured community. 92% of providers recommend the HPV vaccine, most frequently for females aged 13-26 years (98%) and 9-12 years (68%). Some providers report sometimes to always using results from a HPV test (12%) or a Pap test (7%), or the number of sexual partners (33%) to determine who should receive the vaccine, which is not consistent with guidelines. Conclusion: A high percentage of cervical cancer screening providers are also vaccinating girls and young women in FQHCs, and some practices are not consistent with national guidelines and may result in less eligible females receiving the vaccine. Understanding how the HPV vaccine is used by screening providers in FQHCs is of increasing public health significance as FQHCs receive funding to expand evidence-based clinical services. Guideline-consistent recommendations of the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer prevention in medically underserved and high-risk communities may reduce unnecessary clinical intervention and improve opportunities to eliminate cervical cancer disparities.
Citation Format: Katherine Roland, Vicki Benard, April Greek, Nikki Hawkins, Diane Manninen, Mona Saraiya. Human papillomavirus vaccine recommendations and beliefs among primary care providers in federally qualified health centers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A93. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-A93