Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Vasileios Margaritis

Abstract

Despite the availability of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, African American women are still at risk for contracting HPV. This is significant because HPV is one of the main risk factors for cervical cancer. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the relationship between the use of HPV vaccination for cervical cancer prevention and personal history of HPV, reduced access to healthcare, and risky sexual behaviors in African American women. The theoretical framework used for this study was the health belief model (HBM). Two hundred twenty-nine (n=229) African American women living in the United States, ages 18-49, who participated in the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were the sample under study. A univariate analysis was performed to describe the population and obtain frequencies and percentages for all covariates. A bivariate analysis was conducted to determine whether there was an association between any of the independent variables and the dependent variable. A multivariable logistic regression was conducted to build a predictor model for use of HPV vaccination. Women between the ages of 18 and 34 were 7.22 times as likely to receive the HPV vaccine as women aged 35-49 years, and this was statistically significant (OR: 7.22; 95% CI: 2.36 - 22.13). This study can contribute to positive social change within the community and public health profession through an increased awareness and knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer, especially for African American women.

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