Are health care providers making the most of patient encounters to promote HPV vaccination among cigarette smokers?

OBJECTIVE

To examine providers' HPV vaccine communication among adult cigarette smokers with household members aged ≤26 years.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we used 2017 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 5, Cycle 1; N = 3191) data to derive a subsample (n = 725/3191; 22.7%) of adults with household members aged ≤26 years. Forward stepwise multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine providers' HPV vaccine communication, adjusting for patients' smoking status (main independent variable); HPV awareness and knowledge; HPV vaccine awareness and beliefs; and sociodemographic characteristics that contribute to disparities in HPV vaccine coverage.

RESULTS

Current/former smokers (35.0%) had lower HPV-related awareness/knowledge than nonsmokers (65%). Few reported providers discussed (27.4%) or recommended (24.0%) HPV vaccine. Non-Hispanic Whites who knew HPV was a sexually transmitted disease and heard of HPV vaccine were 2-6 times more likely to report provider HPV vaccine communication. Provider HPV vaccine communication differences by smoking status were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Providers' HPV vaccine communication was higher among adults who had higher HPV-related awareness/knowledge. Although active/passive exposure to cigarette smoke increases cervical cancer risk, providers' HPV vaccine communication was not increased for current/former smokers.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Current/former smokers' HPV-related awareness/knowledge and providers' HPV vaccine communication need to be increased.