Abstract C181: HPV vaccination uptake among age-eligible adults in a high-risk clinic-based population in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can cause several cancers including, anal, cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, and oropharyngeal. The primary strategy for preventing HPV-related cancers is HPV vaccination, which is recommended for individuals aged 9 through 26 years. Additionally, HPV vaccination is approved for individuals up to age 45 based on shared clinical decision-making with their healthcare provider. Although immunologic response of the HPV vaccination is greatest at younger ages, some adults may still benefit from vaccination. Information on HPV vaccination uptake among age-eligible adults at high-risk of HPV-related cancers in Puerto Rico remains limited. To assess factors associated with HPV vaccination uptake among age-eligible patients attending the Anal Neoplasia Clinic of the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center (ANC-UPRCCC). Data from baseline visits of adults aged 18-45 years attending the ANC-UPRCCC were analyzed (N=577). At the baseline visit, participants completed a physician-administered questionnaire that collected information on sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyles characteristics. HPV vaccination status was defined as receipt of at least one dose of the HPV vaccine. Pearson chi-square and logistic regression models were used to evaluate factors associated with HPV vaccine uptake. Most participants were men (78.8%), aged 27-45 years (84.2%), and living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (65.8%). HPV vaccine uptake was 27.2%, with 60.0% of vaccinated individuals reporting completion of the 3-dose series. Age, sex, smoking status, alcohol consumption, HIV status, health insurance status, relationship status, lifetime number of sexual partners, and history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were significantly associated with HPV vaccine uptake in the bivariate analysis (p<0.05). Both people living with HIV (PLWH) (aOR=0.38; 95% CI: 0.22-0.63) and adults aged 27-45 years (aOR=0.34; 95% CI: 0.19-0.61) had lower odds of HPV vaccination compared with HIV-negative individuals and adults aged 18-26, respectively. Participants with ≥26 lifetime sexual partners (aOR=2.63; 95% CI: 1.21-5.72) and those who currently consumed alcohol (aOR=3.23; 95% CI: 1.28-8.15) had higher odds of HPV vaccination than their respective counterparts. Conclusions: HPV vaccination uptake was suboptimal among age-eligible adults attending the ANC-UPRCCC, with notably lower uptake among PLWH and those aged 27-45. These findings highlight gaps in Puerto Rico’s current vaccination efforts. Increasing awareness on adult HPV vaccine eligibility, strengthening provider recommendations, and implementing culturally appropriate educational strategies may improve HPV vaccine uptake and reduce the incidence of HPV-related cancers in Puerto Rico. Michelle Torrico, Jeslie M. Ramos-Cartagena, Cristina Muñoz, Maribel Tirado, Miriam Matos, Keimari Méndez, Ana P. Ortiz Martinez. HPV vaccination uptake among age-eligible adults in a high-risk clinic-based population in Puerto Rico [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 19th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2026 Oct 18-21; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2026;35(10 Suppl):Abstract nr C181.