Carolinas Research Day 2021

Clinical Studies

09 A Review of HPV Vaccination Uptake in New Beginnings Pediatrics Clinic, Blacksburg, VA

Julie Mehta, MA, OMS II, Maha Nayyar, MPH, MS, OMS I, Mahnoor Khurshid, OMS I, Sofia Abraham-Hardee, DO/PhD, FACOP, FAAP, CS, Theresa J McCann, MPH, PhD

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Virginia, New Beginnings Pediatrics Clinic, Blacksburg, VA

Abstract: Research demonstrates that cervical cancer rates are disproportionately higher in the rural Appalachian region, which includes Southwest Virginia. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is used to prevent the onset of HPV as well as prevent cervical cancer. Thus, the measured rates of cervical cancer in Southwest Virginia could be associated with low vaccination rates. Despite being one of the few states that has a required mandate for girls to receive the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV), Virginia still remains one of the lowest states to administer the vaccine, both to adolescent girls and boys alike. A 2014 study found that there was no change in HPV vaccination uptake among adolescent girls even five years after the introduction of a statewide mandate

(1). In fact, according to Healthy People 2020, in 2018 only 51.5% of girls aged 13-15 and 37.6% of boys aged 13-15 received the HPV Vaccination in Virginia, despite the statewide mandate (2). It has also been found that counties within rural Appalachia have one of the lowest traditional screening rates, and also one of highest rates of incidence and mortality from HPV- related cervical cancers as compared to the rest of the United States, especially among Appalachian women aged 18-26 (3). These findings could be attributed to higher rates of smoking and alcohol consumption in this region which is shown to be associated with higher rates of HPV-related cervical cancers that could be reduced with preventive measures, such as vaccinations and routine pap smears. The measured

rates of cervical cancers in these areas could also be associated with low vaccination rates There is currently limited data on administration of the HPV Vaccine in the Southwest Virginia area. This study is an anonymous retrospective chart review that aims to assess de-identified medical records to count the number of boys and girls that have initiated and/ or completed the recommended doses of the HPV vaccine at New Beginnings Pediatrics Clinic located in Blacksburg, VA. Data will be collected by reviewing an estimated 500 electronic medical records of subjects aged 9-21 at the time of the study. Findings will be used to measure uptake of HPV vaccine in this clinic population.

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