An Examination of Health Providers' HPV Vaccination Behaviors, Perceived Barriers, and Supports: A Four State Analysis.

Abstract

This study's main research asked which combination of predictors, including type of health provider, type of state policy initiative, overall barriers scores, and overall supports scores, is most predictive of HPV vaccination rates for providers serving girls ages 9-17? Data was collected from May to October 2008 from health providers in four states. Using a proportionate stratified random sample, 1490 potential participants were sent a mail survey. The final sample included 227 respondents. Results indicated that health providers are vaccinating older females at significantly higher rates than younger teens and pre-adolescents in three of the four states. Of the four predictors, fewer barriers were predictive of increased vaccination rates for providers vaccinating girls 9-12 and girls 13-17. Important barriers to consider are financial burden and negative perception of parents about vaccination. Type of health provider, specifically being a pediatrician, was also predictive of HPV vaccination for girls ages 13-17.