Regular Healthcare Provider Status Does Not Moderate Racial/Ethnic Differences in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV Vaccine Knowledge

Background: Racial/ethnic minorities generally have a lower knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the HPV vaccine than non-Hispanic Whites. They are also less likely to have a regular healthcare provider (HCP). Given the role of HCPs in disseminating health information, we evaluated whether racial/ethnic disparities in HPV knowledge are moderated by regular HCP status. Methods: Data from the Health Information National Trends Survey Five (HINTS 5) Cycles One and Two (2017-2018) were analyzed. HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge were compared by regular HCP status across race/ethnicities. Independent partially-adjusted multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association between race/ethnicity and knowledge after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. The resulting adjusted odds ratios were compared to those from fully-adjusted models that included HCP status. Results: After adjusting for regular HCP status, differences in knowledge persisted between racial/ethnic groups. Compared to Whites, Hispanics and Other race/ethnicities had significantly lower odds of having heard of HPV. Blacks, Hispanics, and Other race/ethnicities had significantly lower odds of having heard of the HPV vaccine. Conclusion: Racial/ethnic minorities had significantly lower levels of knowledge despite HCP status. These data suggest the need to address disparities in health information and strengthen provider-patient communication regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine.

Automated summary

Despite having regular healthcare providers, racial/ethnic minorities still have significantly lower levels of knowledge about HPV. Compared to Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, and other racial/ethnic minorities have lower odds of having heard of HPV and the HPV vaccine. Addressing disparities in health information and improving provider-patient communication on HPV and the HPV vaccine is necessary based on the data presented.