RESUMEN

PURPOSE: The current study sought to determine if the release of COVID-19 vaccines influenced Alabama mothers' attitudes and behaviors regarding HPV vaccination of their adolescent children. METHODS: A social media survey was conducted August - September 2022 among mothers of adolescents ages 9-18, who self-identified as Alabama residents and their child(ren)'s primary medical decision maker. The survey assessed demographics, vaccine knowledge and opinions, vaccination history, influences on vaccination decisions, and how COVID-19 vaccine release affected vaccine opinions. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Of 241 responses, most participants were white (82.0 %, n = 196), non-Hispanic (96.6 %, n = 230), and privately insured (64.5 %, n = 151), with annual household incomes ≥$61,000 (45.4 %, n = 103). The majority (60.8 %) reported that their child either had or planned to receive the HPV vaccine. The release of COVID-19 vaccines did not change the majority of parental opinions towards HPV, with 78.5 % (n = 161) reporting no change. Among those who experienced a change, 25 % (n = 5) reported an increased likelihood of having their child vaccinated for HPV and 75 % (n = 15) reported a decrease in likelihood. Moderate and high HPV knowledge scores were associated in multivariable analysis with increased likelihood of having their child vaccinated for HPV ("moderate" knowledge AOR: 12.4, 95 % CI: 1.98-78.1; "high" knowledge AOR: 12.8, 95 % CI: 2.00-82.1). Positive HPV opinion scores in the univariable analysis similarly showed increased odds (AOR = 1.5). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that, in this population, COVID-19 vaccine release did not significantly impact subsequent HPV vaccination decision making. Parental perceptions regarding vaccination are critical to informing future interventions.

Asunto(s)

Vacunas contra la COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Madres , Infecciones por Papillomavirus , Vacunas contra Papillomavirus , Vacunación , Humanos , Vacunas contra Papillomavirus/administración & dosificación , Vacunas contra Papillomavirus/inmunología , Alabama , Madres/psicología , Madres/estadística & datos numéricos , Femenino , Adolescente , Adulto , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/administración & dosificación , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/inmunología , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/prevención & control , Niño , COVID-19/prevención & control , Vacunación/psicología , Vacunación/estadística & datos numéricos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Intención , Persona de Mediana Edad , SARS-CoV-2/inmunología , Medios de Comunicación Sociales/estadística & datos numéricos

RESUMEN

Over the years, we have made considerable progress in our understanding of the biology of various cancers leading to advancements in their management strategies. Consequently, we have witnessed steady improvements in survival rates of cancer patients post-diagnosis. The progress; however, has been slow for some cancer types and the advances in cancer care have not benefited all the communities equally in the United States. The state of Alabama has one of the most diverse demographics in the country and as a result, we witness significant health disparities among our populations. Breast and cervical cancers are the two major cancer types that disparately affect the women in our state. Here, we describe the extent of disparities in the diagnosis and death rates from these cancers in the state of Alabama and discuss potential underlying causes affecting the health outcomes. We also discuss ongoing efforts undertaken to reduce the disparity gaps and provide a perspective for addressing these disparities more effectively.