Sex Education Legislation and HPV Vaccination Rates among Adolescents in the United States. Issue 2 (2nd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fagan, Sarah; Gallicchio, Lisa
• Is Part Of: American journal of sexuality education. Volume 15:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 246
• Page End: 261
• Publication Date: 2020-04-02
• Subjects: Sex education -- human papillomavirus (HPV) -- vaccination -- abstinence -- health policy; Sex instruction -- Periodicals; 613.9071
• DOI: 10.1080/15546128.2020.1712287
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1554-6128

Abstract

Abstract: This study sought to determine if human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates are associated with teaching requirements for abstinence in state sex education laws and policies. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted assessing the association between abstinence education legislation and HPV vaccination rates in adolescents (aged 13–17 years). After adjustment for insurance coverage and household income, the level of abstinence education was not significantly associated with vaccination rates. However, a higher percentage of individuals uninsured was significantly and negatively associated with the vaccination rate. This suggests that HPV vaccination rates are associated with insurance coverage, but not with the degree to which sex education laws or policies emphasize abstinence.