Predictors of Having HPV Vaccination Among Young Adults: A BRFSS 2014 Study

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Vaccination has been found to lower the risk of HPV infection. However, HPV vaccination rates lag behind compared to other recommended vaccines for young adults. Data from the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to assess socio-demographic predictors of HPV vaccination among 18-34 year olds. The eight (8) states (AL, DE, GA, IN, MA, MN, RI, and WY) that included the HPV vaccination module in their survey were included in the analyses. Only 24% of the 8,050 participants reported ever having HPV vaccination. Logistic regression showed that increasing age (OR= 0.29 for age 18-24 years cf. 25-34 years, 95% CI 0.23, 0.36); race (OR = 0.54 for blacks cf. whites (95% CI 0.40, 0.73), OR=0.57 for other races cf. whites (95% CI 0.44, 0.74)); having health insurance (OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.28, 2.29); living in non-metropolitan area (OR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.23, 3.04); higher education (OR = 1.70 for college education or greater compared to less than college education, 95% CI 1.36, 2.11); being unmarried (OR = 2.06 compared to married, 95% CI 1.64, 2.59); and having had a pap test (OR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.26, 2.20) were significantly and independently associated with receiving HPV vaccination. Cigarette smoking was not associated with HPV vaccination. Focused educational efforts should target older adolescents, including males and other racial groups. These efforts should facilitate increase in HPV vaccination rates