FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPLETION OF THE HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE SERIES AMONG HISPANIC AND NON-HISPANIC WHITE ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract

Despite recommendations of three Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine shots for all adolescent girls, only 29.1% of non-Hispanic Whites and 23.4% of Hispanics achieve completion. This study describes factors associated with completion of the HPV vaccine series among Hispanic and non-Hispanic White 13-17 year old girls who initiated the series. A secondary data analysis was performed of the cross-sectional 2009 National Immunization Survey-Teen survey. Despite similar initiation rates (one in five), Hispanic girls who had initiated the series (59.9%) were less likely to complete the series than non-Hispanic Whites (76.4%). After accounting for poverty status and home ownership, Hispanics were less likely to complete the HPV vaccine series. Factors associated with HPV vaccine series initiation were age at interview and age at HPV vaccine series initiation for Hispanics; and continuous health insurance since age of 11, mother's marital status, and number of children in the household for non-Hispanic Whites.