Completion of a Free Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Series at an Urban, Public Hospital [362]. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guleria, Sonia; Patel, Ashlesha A.; Zimmerman, Lindsay; Stempinski, Kelly
• Is Part Of: Obstetrics and gynecology. Volume 125(2015)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; 618
• DOI: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000463715.59945.ae
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-7844

Abstract

Abstract : INTRODUCTION: Completion of the three-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series has been challenging and cost may play a role. The objectives of this study are 1) to evaluate HPV vaccine schedule adherence after receipt of first dose; and 2) to determine factors associated with series completion among women presenting an urban, public hospital where the vaccine is provided free of charge. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of women ages 14–26 years who initiated the first HPV vaccine dose between January 2010 and December 2012 at Stroger Hospital's Family Planning Clinic. The outcome of interest was completion of the three vaccine doses. Log-binomial regression was conducted to determine demographic and medical and obstetric factors associated with vaccine series completion. RESULTS: The 201 women who initiated the first dose of the vaccine were followed for an average time of 3.1 years. A total of 71.5% women self-identified as African American and 16.6% as Hispanic. A total of 31.3% of women completed all three doses of the series. The independent predictor of completion was older age (relative risk 2.39 [ages 25–26 compared with 14–19 years], 95% confidence interval 1.14–5.01). Ethnicity, contraceptive use, having a recent sexually transmitted infection, and parity were not found to be significant predictors of completion. CONCLUSION: Although the vaccine was provided for free, completion rates were far from ideal. This suggests that cost of the vaccine may not be an important barrier toward completion of the vaccine schedule and that other factors like knowledge of the dosing schedule and awareness of the benefits provided by the vaccine should be emphasized among adolescent women.