Trusted Voices: Assessing Trusted Sources of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Information Among a Sample of Hispanic Parents.

Abstract

Background/objectives: Hispanics living in the United States have higher rates of diagnosis and mortality from certain kinds of cancers, including human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers. HPV vaccines can prevent 90% of HPV-associated cancers.

Methods: The purpose of this study was to recruit a sample of Hispanic parents to investigate trusted sources of HPV vaccine information. An online survey was used to collect data from Hispanic parents who reported having children between the ages of 11 and 17.

Results: Parents of children 11-17 years of age (n = 203, M_age = (38, SD = 6.97; female 85.1%) were included. The top five trusted sources of HPV vaccine information were medical doctors (95.1%), registered nurses (54.2%), the CDC (47.8%), the WHO (45.3%), and pharmacists (25.6%). The two least trusted sources were the president of the U.S. (7.9%) and religious leaders (3%). Hierarchical linear regression models revealed that HPV vaccine acceptance was associated with trusting registered nurses (p < 0.001) and the CDC (p = 0.026) in recommending the HPV vaccine. Importantly, the family-held belief that vaccines cause autism was strongly correlated with personal beliefs that vaccines cause autism (r = 0.58; p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Findings from this study have clinical implications for the development of interventions and health communication strategies that leverage trusted sources of information including medical doctors and registered nurses to encourage preventive health behaviors. Additionally, our findings support that pharmacists should be included in these interventions as they are often an underused resource and are trusted by their patients for vaccine information.