BACKGROUND: Although Korean American women have one of the highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates among all Asian American and non-Hispanic White women, they are less likely to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine Korean American women’s HPV literacy and factors related to HPV literacy to identify targeted intervention strategies. METHODS: A quota sampling strategy was used to recruit 243 Korean American women aged 19–85 years in the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted using Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use to examine factors associated with HPV literacy. FINDINGS: HPV literacy of Korean American immigrant women was moderate, and knowledge about HPV detection items was particularly low. Age was the only predisposing factor that had a significantly negative association with HPV literacy, whereas education level and English proficiency had a significant positive relationship with HPV literacy. Health status as a need factor was significantly positively associated with HPV literacy. © 2018 by the Oncology Nursing Society.

Health disparity Cervical cancer screening HPV literacy Korean American women

South Korea Republic of Korea Democratic People's Republic of Korea human middle aged statistics and numerical data Aged Georgia ethnology Young Adult Humans migrant psychology Papillomavirus Vaccines Asian Americans Wart virus vaccine Emigrants and Immigrants Asian American Aged, 80 and over female very elderly North Korea Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice adult Papillomavirus Infections Uterine Cervical Neoplasms uterine cervix tumor patient attitude papillomavirus infection Patient Acceptance of Health Care health literacy attitude to health