Abstract 810: Assessing human papillomavirus (HPV) awareness and intentions to participate in HPV vaccination and clinical trials (CT) among Latinos/as in Los Angeles (LA) County: A multicomponent intervention
Authors: Ramos Alejandra , Aristizabal Carolina , Baezconde-Garbanati Lourdes A. 
Published: March 2024

Background: The incidence of HPV-related cancers continues to disproportionately affect women and men of Latino origin. In LA, a total of 20,868 individuals have been diagnosed with HPV-related cancers from 2009 to 2019. HPV infection knowledge and interpersonal barriers contribute to HPV vaccine delay and refusal. Similarly, Latinos/as continue to also have low participation in clinical trials research. To address the low knowledge, attitudes, and intentions towards HPV vaccination and participation in clinical trials (CT), we have adopted the NCI National Outreach Network framework and have used community health educators to deliver bilingual-culturally appropriate workshops on HPV and CT.

Methods: Individuals, 18 and over and parents with eligible age children (in respect to the HPV initiative) were recruited through community outreach and local community partnerships to participate in the bilingual (English and Spanish) health education workshops. A baseline assessment was administered before each educational workshop and a follow-up assessment was administered after to evaluate change in HPV and CT knowledge, intentions to vaccinate, and likelihood to participate in CT. Descriptive statistics were calculated to assess distribution of demographic variables of interest and a paired T-test was used to explore matched pre-post differences in knowledge scores and intentions.

Results: 290 (HPV) 272 (CT) individuals participated in the workshops. The mean age of participants was 41.13yrs with a (SD=11.63). More than half of participants were women 453 (81.7%), men 94 (16.9%) and other 7 (1.26%). Comparing HPV knowledge scores of matched pre-and post-surveys, showed that for baseline (n=182) (M=72.9%, SD=13.3) was statistically different from post-scores (n=182) (M=81%, SD=9.85) where p&lt;0.05. Intentions were measured using a Likert scale, baseline (M=4.1), agree to get HPV vaccine, post (M=4.5) strongly agree to get HPV vaccine. In respect to CT baseline knowledge (n=174) (M=75.3%, SD=0.15), following a Likert scale response of (M=3.4), unsure to join a clinic trial. In assessing post-CT scores (N=174) (M=78%, SD:0.14), mean scores were significant where p&lt;0.05 and an increase to (M=3.7) agree to join a clinical trial. After workshops attendance, not only was knowledge increased, but intentions to vaccinate against HPV and to participate in a clinical trial was strengthen.

Conclusions: Strengthening community-based education and providing the necessary tools, can help reframe misconceptions about HPV and HPV vaccination and promote willingness to vaccinate and participate in clinical trials.

Citation Format: Alejandra Ramos, Carolina Aristizabal, Lourdes A. Baezconde-Garbanati. Assessing human papillomavirus (HPV) awareness and intentions to participate in HPV vaccination and clinical trials (CT) among Latinos/as in Los Angeles (LA) County: A multicomponent intervention [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 810.