Date of Conferral

10-20-2026

Date of Award

October 2026

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Health Sciences

Advisor

Claire Robb

Abstract

Although vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) is a crucial preventative measure, Hispanic adolescents' uptake and completion rates are still below optimal. The impact of familial characteristics on HPV vaccine uptake and completion among Hispanic adolescents in the United States between the ages of 14 and 17 was investigated in this cross-sectional quantitative study. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems theory, the study used secondary data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The sample included N = 1,888 adolescents who met the inclusion criteria (adolescents aged 14-17). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between familial characteristics and HPV vaccination outcomes while controlling for demographic and socioeconomic covariates. Findings indicated that familial characteristics were not significant predictors of HPV vaccine uptake (p =0.298). In contrast, health insurance coverage was significantly associated with HPV vaccination status, with insured adolescents having greater odds of vaccination than uninsured adolescents (OR = 2.04, 95% CI [1.26, 3.29], p = 0.004). Parental educational attainment was also significantly associated with HPV vaccine uptake, with higher parental education corresponding to greater odds of vaccination (OR = 1.15, 95% CI [1.10, 1.21], p < 0.001) Geographic region and urban–rural residence were not significant predictors of HPV vaccine uptake. Findings suggest that household composition alone may not substantially influence HPV vaccination behaviors and that socioeconomic and healthcare access factors may play a greater role.

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