Abstract C179: Family vaccination context predicts HPV vaccine uptake among medical students
TL;DR
Perceived family vaccination context was the strongest and most consistent correlate of self-reported HPV vaccine completion among medical students, and gender and HPV knowledge were associated with vaccination status, although estimates were less precise and less consistent across model specifications.
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is an important cancer prevention strategy, yet uptake remains incomplete. Although provider recommendation is a key driver of HPV vaccination, less is known about how future physicians’ own vaccination behaviors are shaped. This study examined whether perceived family vaccination context was associated with HPV vaccine uptake among medical students and considered implications for prevention training. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of survey data from 230 medical students at Wayne State University School of Medicine. The primary outcome was self-reported HPV vaccination status, dichotomized as fully vaccinated versus not fully vaccinated or unsure. Predictors included family vaccination context, gender, religious affiliation, age, year in medical school, prior HPV education, HPV knowledge, and HPV stigma. Family vaccination context was modeled as an ordinal predictor based on agreement that age-eligible family members were vaccinated. HPV knowledge used a 22-item composite score, and HPV stigma used a 2-item composite assessing perceived stigma and disclosure. Analyses included univariate and bivariate tests, followed by complete-case multivariable logistic regression. A sensitivity analysis excluded students who were unsure. Of 230 students, 189 (82.2%) reported being fully vaccinated against HPV. In bivariate analyses, family vaccination context, gender, and HPV knowledge were associated with vaccination status. In the adjusted model (n = 165), family vaccination context remained the strongest independent correlate of HPV vaccination status (OR, 3.95; 95% CI, 2.11-7.42; P < .001). Female gender was also associated with higher odds of vaccination (OR, 3.80; 95% CI, 1.01-14.29; P = .048), as was higher HPV knowledge (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03-1.53; P = .024). HPV stigma showed a borderline inverse association (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.26-1.07; P = .076). Religion, age, year in medical school, and prior HPV education were not statistically significant after adjustment. The family vaccination association remained robust in sensitivity analysis (OR, 7.70; 95% CI, 2.45-24.26; P < .001). Exploratory secondary analyses suggested that family vaccination context may also be associated with stronger intention to recommend HPV vaccination to future patients and greater intent to vaccinate among students who were not fully vaccinated or unsure. Perceived family vaccination context was the strongest and most consistent correlate of self-reported HPV vaccine completion among medical students. Gender and HPV knowledge were also associated with vaccination status, although estimates were less precise and less consistent across model specifications. Findings should be interpreted as associations rather than causal effects. HPV prevention training may benefit from addressing factual knowledge alongside trainees’ vaccination histories, family and social norms, HPV-related stigma, and comfort discussing vaccination. Farah Harb, Shakhnozakhon Mukhtorova, Akarsh Lal, Laila Al-Jerdi, Morhaf Al-Achkar, Radhika Gogoi. Family vaccination context predicts HPV vaccine uptake among medical students [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 C179.