Original articleKnowledge and Early Adoption of the HPV Vaccine Among Girls and Young Women: Results of a National Survey
Section snippets
Participants
We assembled a nationally representative probability sample [14], [15], [16] of 2,143 girls and young women ages 13 to 26 years that was randomly drawn from an existing research panel of more than 60,000 U.S. households developed and maintained by the survey research firm Knowledge Networks (Menlo Park, CA). Knowledge Networks uses random digit dialing to construct the survey panel, and provides participating households with Internet access via WebTV (Microsoft Inc, Redmond, WA) to permit
Participants
Overall, 1,159 of 2,143 individuals responded to the survey request (54% response rate) and 1,011 completed the survey (47% completion rate). This response rate is typical for surveys that include adolescent populations [18], [19], [20]. For those who completed the survey, item nonresponse was low (0.1%–2%). Compared with nonrespondents, respondents were more likely to be older (unweighted mean age 19.4 vs. 18.4 years, p < .01), white, non-Hispanic (unweighted 79% vs. 67%, p < .01), and have
Discussion
This study was designed to complement public health surveillance data on uptake of the HPV vaccine by obtaining information from females in the age-range eligible for the vaccine. Use of an existing Internet-based sample from Knowledge Networks permitted rapid entry into the field at a feasible cost. These data provide some of the first nationally representative estimates of both adolescents' and young womens' adoption of the HPV vaccine, barriers to vaccination, sources of information about
Conclusions
Despite variable knowledge about HPV, few adolescents and young women have the false beliefs that the HPV vaccine will protect them against sexually transmitted infections other than HPV, or that it will obviate their need for cervical cancer screening. Many females at risk for acquiring HPV have yet to be vaccinated. Both healthcare providers and family members are influential regarding HPV vaccine education and adoption among girls and young women in the United States.
Acknowledgments
Rachel Caskey had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Study concept and design: Caskey, Lindau, Alexander. Acquisition of data, data analysis, and interpretation: Caskey, Lindau, Alexander. Manuscript preparation and intellectual content of the manuscript: Caskey, Lindau, Alexander. Statistical analysis: Caskey, Lindau, Alexander.
Dr. Alexander has served as a consultant to Astra Zeneca (2003)
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