J Adolesc Health. 2021 Dec 10:S1054-139X(21)00556-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.10.030. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to (1) examine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in adolescents and young adults in the U.S., including those who had a dental visit in the last year but not a medical visit and (2) to determine an association between last visit to the dentist and HPV vaccination status.
METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2015 to 2018, including participants 9-26 years. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted to characterize the study population and calculate the prevalence of HPV vaccination in adolescents and young adults, including those who had a dental visit in the last year but not a medical visit. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between last visit to the dentist and HPV vaccination status.
RESULTS: In total, 38.6% of participants were vaccinated for HPV, with higher prevalence of vaccination in those with the following characteristics: female, older age, higher income, higher education level, and having medical insurance. Participants who had a dental visit in the last year had an HPV vaccination rate of 40.8%. Of those who had a dental visit and were not vaccinated for HPV, 12.5% did not have a medical visit. Having a dental visit in the last year increased the odds of being vaccinated for HPV (odds ratio 1.69, confidence interval 1.26-2.28).
CONCLUSIONS: Dentists see a significant number of adolescents and young adults who are unvaccinated for HPV in a given year and could serve as an access point for HPV vaccine delivery in the future.
PMID:34903425 | DOI:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.10.030
