Lexia Wabindato
Pronouns:
Research Mentor(s): Sherri Sheinfeld Gorin
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Department of Family Medicine / Medicine
Program:
Authors:
Session: Session 6: 3:40 pm – 4:30 pm
Poster: 103
Abstract
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a virus that is linked to several cancers including head and neck cancers in men, as well as cervical cancer among women. There is a commercial vaccine created for this virus, the vaccine should be administered in 11-12 year olds, and olds, but can be administered to those aged 9-26. There is hesitancy around the vaccine. In rural areas especially, the vaccine administration rates are less than those in the suburbs or urban areas. In order to understand the hesitancy around the HPV vaccine, we have read and systematically coded research articles to specify multi-level influences on HPV vaccinations. The purpose of our research is to understand the influences on HPV vaccine hesitancy in rural communities through a scoping review. There is a known hesitancy within rural communities in the United States, and our project is focused on understanding why this is and how we can alter it. Through the initial review, we have gained insight into several different approaches implemented on patients, parents, health-care providers and communities in order to decrease vaccine hesitancy within rural areas. Some of our initial findings include parents not knowing what the vaccine is, health-care providers communication methods, financial burdens, travel, and the hesitancy around smaller clinics. We are still reviewing specific articles, and will continue to review papers in our area of interest.
