Provider recommendation for HPV vaccination across Hispanic/Latinx subgroups in the United States

Healthcare provider recommendation is a key predictor of HPV vaccination among adolescents, yet little is known about how parents' receipt of a provider recommendation differs across Hispanic/Latinx subgroups in the United States. We analyzed data from the 2012-2016 National Immunization Survey - Teen on Hispanic/Latinx adolescent ages 13-17 (n = 16,335). Analyses used weighted logistic regression models. Overall, 62.6% of parents of Hispanic/Latinx females and 46.4% of parents of Hispanic/Latinx males reported that they had received a provider recommendation for HPV vaccination. Among parents of females, receipt of a provider recommendation ranged from 55.0% among Central Americans to 73.3% among parents of Puerto Ricans. Among parents of males, the range was from 44.5% among Mexicans and multi-subgroup males to 53.4% among Cubans. There were no differences across Hispanic/Latinx subgroups in adjusted models among either males or females (all p > .05). Among parents of females, provider recommendation was less common among those whose preferred language was Spanish for Central Americans and South Americans (both p < .05). Efforts are needed to improve provider communication about and recommendations for HPV vaccination among the Hispanic/Latinx population and to ensure the availability of language assistance services for individuals with limited English proficiency.

Automated summary

This study found that healthcare provider recommendation is crucial for HPV vaccination among Hispanic/Latinx adolescents, but there are differences in how parents receive provider recommendations across different Hispanic/Latinx subgroups. Efforts are needed to improve communication and recommendations for HPV vaccination among the Hispanic/Latinx population, as well as to ensure language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency.