The Uptake of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Among Adolescent Females in the United States

Abstract

A comprehensive review of literature was conducted to identify the barriers and facilitators, from the parents'/guardians' and primary care providers' (PCPs) perspective, that are associated with the uptake of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among adolescent females. Findings from 14 peer-reviewed articles indicate that 37% of adolescent females, 9 to 17 years of age, initiated the HPV vaccine, compared to the national average of 13- to 15-years-olds, which is 50%. The overall uptake and completion rates of the vaccine were low across all racial and ethnic groups. Barriers included parents'/guardians' knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward the HPV disease and the vaccine, along with the convenience in receiving the vaccine. Six studies reported that HPV vaccine initiation was highly likely if the parents/guardians had received a doctor’s recommendation. Learning what interventions school nurses currently utilize could positively affect the HPV vaccine uptake and completion rates by other nursing disciplines realizing this ongoing effort.