Why Tennessee's HPV Vaccine Uptake Lags Behind

HPV, a common sexually transmitted infection, affects over 80% of Americans by age 45. Though vaccines are available, many in Tennessee don't get vaccinated. Recently, the ACIP expanded HPV vaccine recommendations to include adults aged 27-45. This study aimed to understand why Tennesseans in this age group aren't getting vaccinated. Researchers surveyed adults aged 18 to 45 in Tennessee from June to August 2023. They found five key factors affecting vaccine uptake: trust in benefits, perceived risk, attitude and control over behavior, perceived barriers, and how serious they think HPV is. These factors explained 70. 3% of the variability in vaccination decisions. Looking at different demographic groups, race stood out as significant. Black respondents had less trust in the vaccine's benefits compared to White and Asian respondents. However, the interaction between race and vaccination status wasn't significant. The study highlights the need for healthcare professionals and policymakers to address these racial disparities. Future research should focus on targeted interventions to boost vaccination rates and lower HPV-related cancer risks in Tennessee.