Socioeconomic Impact on Gardasil Rates in the South
Jasmine Meeks1, Laquita Hatcher2
1Mississippi INBRE Service Scholar, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
2My Brother’s Keeper, Inc., Center for Community Based Programs, Ridgeland, MS
In the southern region of the United States there is a lower rate of individuals receiving the Gardasil vaccine. Gardasil is a vaccine approved in 2006 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) used for the prevention of certain strains the human papillomavirus (HPV), more specifically HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. HPV types 16 and 18 cause an estimated 70% of cervical cancers and are responsible for most HPV-associated vaginal, anal, penile, and vulvar related cancer cases. Typically, the vaccine is administered to children, male and female, ages 11-12 but may be given as early as age 9. According to a study done by the Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation, the HPV vaccination rate is the lowest in Mississippi at 29% compared to the highest in D.C. at 78%. Approximately 12,000 cases of cervical cancer occur annually in the United States and majority occur in southern states. Utilizing secondary data, southern states also have the lowest overall HPV vaccination rate due to lack of information, concerns related to sexual activity, religious beliefs, and lack of health insurance. Data from the 2015 Prevent Cancer Foundation survey indicated 92% of respondents believed that there is a need for more information regarding the dangers of HPV. It was concluded that barriers to get the Gardasil vaccine consist of perceptions, fear of side effects, its relatively new, fear patient is too young, lack of time, cost, acceptability, and discomfort discussing sex with young patients.