Poverty and Race and Ethnic Differences in Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Series Resistance for Female Teens in the United States

Alexis R. Santos-Lozada, University of Texas at San Antonio

Genital Human Papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Disparities in cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates among race/ethnic minorities and poorer sectors of the population have been well documented in the United States. This research assesses the individual, mother and household characteristics influence in HPV Vaccine Series Resistance for female teens in the US. The 2011 National Immunization Survey – Teen (NIS-Teen) is used to empirically assess predictors of HPV Vaccine Series Resistance; the Health Belief Model is used to frame this research. The results point to race/ethnic minorities having lower resistance as well population above the poverty line. Public policy efforts to help eliminate this resistance are proposed based on the results found in this research.