Women's Health Issues
Volume 22, Issue 6, 2012, Pages e571-e579

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs Regarding HPV Vaccination: Ethnic and Cultural Differences Between African-American and Haitian Immigrant Women (Article)

Joseph N.P.* , Clark J.A. , Bauchner H. , Walsh J.P. , Mercilus G. , Figaro J. , Bibbo C. , Perkins R.B.
  • a Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
  • b Edith Nourse Rogers Veterans Memorial Hospital, Bedford MA/ Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
  • c Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States, Edith Nourse Rogers Veterans Memorial Hospital, Bedford MA/ Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
  • d Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
  • e Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
  • f Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
  • g Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
  • h Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

Background: Black women have higher rates of cervical cancer and lower rates of HPV vaccination than White women in the United States, and Haitians may be an especially vulnerable subgroup of Black women. To reduce these disparities, understanding differences among subgroups of Black women is crucial. Methods: The objective of our study was to assess similarities and differences in the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices toward HPV vaccination and actual vaccination rates among African-American and Haitian immigrant women and their daughters. We used validated surveys of HPV knowledge, trust in physicians, acculturation, and constructs of the health belief model: Perceived susceptibility, severity, and barriers. We probed women's thought processes about vaccination using open-ended questions. We then reviewed medical records to determine vaccination rates. Results: Nineteen African Americans and 51 Haitians participated. Although 75% of Haitians and 63% of African Americans intended to vaccinate their daughters, only 47% of African-American and 31% of Haitian daughters were vaccinated. African Americans were more knowledgeable than Haitians and had more prior experience with HPV disease. Most African Americans felt that vaccination fell within the parental role, whereas many Haitians felt uncomfortable vaccinating against sexually transmitted infections because they felt children should not be having sex. Both ethnic groups wanted more information about HPV vaccines. Conclusion: Cultural differences between African-American and Haitian immigrant mothers revealed distinct barriers for vaccine acceptance. Improving HPV vaccine rates in Black women may require culturally competent and sensitive approaches that address ethnic-specific barriers. © 2012 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

medical record review perception immigrant health survey health disparity daughter human clinical assessment middle aged health belief Mother-Child Relations controlled study drug efficacy African American Unsafe Sex qualitative research sexually transmitted disease Haiti Young Adult United States school child Humans ethnic difference Trust Adolescent Papillomavirus Vaccines Interviews as Topic Wart virus vaccine Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation Socioeconomic Factors female Mothers cultural factor Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice women's health Article infection prevention Questionnaires mother adult major clinical study drug safety Papillomavirus Infections Uterine Cervical Neoplasms papillomavirus infection disease predisposition Patient Acceptance of Health Care vaccination attitude to health African Americans Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84868286773&doi=10.1016%2fj.whi.2012.09.003&partnerID=40&md5=a90ef231766302822647df1e6479b95c
DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2012.09.003
ISSN: 10493867
Cited by: 35
Original Language: English