Parents' views on 3 shot-related visits: implications for use of adolescent vaccines like human papillomavirus vaccine

Parental awareness and utilization of meningococcal serogroup B vaccines in the United States

Background

Meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) is the most common cause of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in the United States. The US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends vaccination of healthy adolescents against MenB based on shared clinical decision-making (Category B recommendation). This survey assessed factors associated with MenB vaccine awareness, utilization, and interest among parents/guardians of US adolescents.

Methods

Survey participants were identified in 2016 through KnowledgePanel®, an online random sample of US households; population-based weighting methodology was used to ensure data reflected a demographically representative population sample. Adults with ≥1 dependent aged 16–19 years were eligible and completed an online questionnaire. Respondents were grouped in terms of MenB vaccination of their child as: 1) vaccinated, 2) intending to vaccinate, 3) MenB vaccine-unaware, or 4) vaccine-aware but not intending to vaccinate. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify factors influencing MenB vaccine awareness and utilization; univariate analyses used the weighted proportion of each group or weighted means, and multivariate analyses used logistic regression models based on the weighted study sample of each group.

Results

Six hundred nineteen parents/guardians participated, corresponding to 26,266,700 members of the US population after weighting. MenB vaccine awareness was significantly associated with parent race and sex. Specifically, 57% of parents were unaware of MenB vaccines, and there was significantly higher lack of awareness among males and those of Hispanic or non-White ethnicity. In addition, 36% of unaware parents/guardians were interested in and seeking MenB vaccine information from their healthcare provider (HCP), and there was higher interest among parents of Hispanic ethnicity. ‘Vaccinated/intending to vaccinate’ versus ‘not intending to vaccinate’ and ‘vaccinated’ versus ‘intending to vaccinate’ were both strongly associated with whether an HCP had recommended vaccination (odds ratios, 4.81 [95% CI 2.46, 9.35] and 5.66 [95% CI 2.46, 12.87], respectively).

Conclusions

Racial and socioeconomic disparities exist in the awareness and utilization of MenB vaccines among parents/guardians of US adolescents. HCP discussion and recommendation are critical catalysts for MenB vaccination and underscore the need to accurately interpret and implement the shared clinical decision-making (Category B) recommendation.

Completion of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Series Among Adolescent Users and Nonusers of School-Based Health Centers

OBJECTIVES

Uptake and completion of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series among adolescents are suboptimal in the United States. We examined immunization registry data to determine completion of the 3-dose HPV vaccine series among adolescents in Seattle, Washington, born during 1995-2000 who received ≥1 dose of HPV vaccine.

METHODS

Immunization data included the administrating facility, which identified adolescents who used school-based health centers (SBHCs) for any HPV vaccine dose. We calculated completion of the 3-dose series at any time and on time by the 13th birthday. We stratified analyses by sex and assessed differences in on-time and any-time completion between users and nonusers of SBHCs.

RESULTS

Overall, 67.9% (8612 of 12 676) of females and 41.8% (3560 of 8521) of males with ≥1 dose of HPV vaccine completed the 3-dose series. Compared with female SBHC nonusers, female SBHC users had 37% higher odds of completing the series at any time (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.19-1.58) and 33% higher odds of completing the series on time (aOR = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.08-1.64). Compared with male SBHC nonusers, male SBHC users had 45% higher odds of completing the series at any time (aOR = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.23-1.70) and 79% higher odds of completing the series on time (aOR = 1.79; 95% CI, 1.11-2.89).

CONCLUSION

Adolescent SBHC users had higher odds of completing the HPV vaccine series than adolescents who received all doses in traditional health care settings. SBHCs should be leveraged to increase adolescent immunization rates.

Understanding Non-Completion of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Series: Parent-Reported Reasons for Why Adolescents Might Not Receive Additional Doses, United States, 2012

Completion rates of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series among U.S. adolescents are below public health targets. We explored parent-reported reasons for their children's non-completion of the HPV vaccine series using a nationally representative online survey of parents of children aged 9-17 years, fielded in October 2012. Among the 1,653 parents who responded, the proportion reporting that their child would definitely continue with the HPV vaccine series among those who had started the series ranged from 28% to 54%. The most common reason cited by parents for non-completion of the series was their child's fear of needles, followed by lack of awareness about additional doses and safety concerns. These findings demonstrate the need to encourage adoption of strategies addressing needle fears, utilize reminders for parents about subsequent doses, and emphasize recent HPV vaccine safety data in discussions with parents.

Pediatric Concussion Management in the Emergency Department: A National Survey of Parents

OBJECTIVE

To examine parental expectations and beliefs about diagnosis and management of pediatric concussion.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey of a nationally representative panel of US parents in March 2014. Parents of 10- to 17-year-old children responded to questions about their expectations and beliefs about diagnosis and management of pediatric concussion in the emergency department (ED). Weighted percentages for descriptive statistics were calculated, and χ2 statistics were used for bivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Survey participation was 53%, and of 912 parent respondents with a child 10-17 years of age who were presented with a scenario of their child having mild symptoms of concussion, 42% would seek immediate ED care. Parents who would seek immediate ED care for this scenario were more likely than parents who would consult their child's usual provider or wait at home to "definitely expect" imaging (65% vs 21%), definitive diagnosis of concussion (77% vs 61%), a timeline for return to activity (80% vs 60%), and a signed return to play form (55% vs 41%).

CONCLUSIONS

Many parents who bring children to the ED following a possible concussion are likely to expect comprehensive and definitive care, including imaging, a definitive diagnosis, a timeline for return to activity, and a signed return to play form. To manage these expectations, healthcare providers should continue to educate parents about the evaluation and management of concussion.

Parental awareness and use of online physician rating sites

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The US public is increasingly using online rating sites to make decisions about a variety of consumer goods and services, including physicians. We sought to understand, within the context of other types of rating sites, parents' awareness, perceptions, and use of physician-rating sites for choosing primary care physicians for their children.

METHODS

This cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of 3563 adults was conducted in September 2012. Participants were asked about rating Web sites in the context of finding a primary care physician for their children and about their previous experiences with such sites.

RESULTS

Overall, 2137 (60%) of participants completed the survey. Among these respondents, 1619 were parents who were included in the present analysis. About three-quarters (74%) of parents were aware of physician-rating sites, and about one-quarter (28%) had used them to select a primary care physician for their children. Based on 3 vignettes for which respondents were asked if they would follow a neighbor's recommendation about a primary care physician and using multivariate analyses, respondents exposed to a neighbor's recommendation and positive online physician ratings were significantly more likely to choose the recommended physician (adjusted odds ratio: 3.0 [95% confidence interval: 2.1-4.4]) than respondents exposed to the neighbor's recommendation alone. Conversely, respondents exposed to the neighbor's recommendation and negative online ratings were significantly less likely to choose the neighbor children's physician (adjusted odds ratio: 0.09 [95% confidence interval: 0.03-0.3]).

CONCLUSIONS

Parents are beginning to use online physician ratings, and these ratings have the potential to influence choices of their children's primary care physician.

Public interest in medical research participation: differences by volunteer status and study type

PURPOSE

We assessed national levels of public interest in medical research participation (MRP) and factors associated with interest as a healthy volunteer; as a diagnosed volunteer; and in seven study types.

METHOD

Cross-sectional, Web-based survey of the US population in June 2012. Descriptive statistics estimated interest in MRP and multivariable logistic regression determined associations between respondent-level predictors and interest in MRP.

RESULTS

Of 2,668 respondents (response rate = 61%), 41% were interested in MRP as healthy volunteers and 60% as diagnosed volunteers. Respondents with some college (OR = 1.54, 1.09-2.19) or higher education (OR = 1.86, 1.29-2.70) had higher adjusted odds of interest as healthy volunteers. Non-Hispanic black race (OR = 0.56, 0.37-0.86) and education below high school (OR = 0.57, 0.35-0.92) were associated with lower adjusted odds of interest as diagnosed volunteers. Non-Hispanic black race was associated with lower odds of interest in medication trials as diagnosed volunteers (OR = 0.61, 0.40-0.93).

CONCLUSIONS

We found high levels of interest in MRP that contrast with low levels of prior research participation. Interest is higher in medical research involving noninvasive designs. Comparatively lower levels of interest in MRP among non-Hispanic blacks and those with less education raise concerns about disparities in future study enrollment.

To pay or not to pay: public perception regarding insurance coverage of obesity treatment

OBJECTIVE

To explore public opinion regarding insurance coverage for obesity treatment among severely obese adolescents.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The National Poll on Children's Health was fielded to a nationally representative sample of US adults, January 2011. Respondents (n = 2150) indicated whether insurance should cover specific weight management services for obese adolescents and whether private insurance and Medicaid should cover bariatric surgery. Sampling weights were applied to generate nationally representative results. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess associations.

RESULTS

More respondents endorsed insurance coverage for traditional healthcare services (mental health 86%, dietitian 84%) than for services generally viewed as outside the healthcare arena (exercise programs 65%, group programs 60%). For bariatric surgery, 81% endorsed private insurance coverage; 55% endorsed Medicaid coverage. Medicaid enrollees, black, Hispanic, and low-income respondents had greater odds (P < 0.05) of endorsing bariatric surgery coverage by Medicaid, compared to the referent groups (non-Hispanic white, income ≥$60K, private insurance).

CONCLUSION

Although public support for insurance coverage of traditional weight management services appears high, support for Medicaid coverage for bariatric surgery is lower and varies by demographics. If public opinion is a harbinger of future coverage, low-income adolescents could experience disparities in access to treatments like bariatric surgery.

Adolescents' perspectives on vaccination outside the traditional medical home: a survey of urban middle and high school students

Eleventh- and 6th-grade students from an urban public school district were surveyed concerning vaccination outside the traditional medical home. Survey response rates were 50% for 11th- and 73% for 6th-grade students. Seventy-two percent of 11th-grade students reported that public health clinics were definitely or probably acceptable locations for vaccination; 70% reported this for emergency departments, 65% for school-based health centers, 55% for family planning clinics, and 44% for obstetrics/gynecology clinics. Corresponding percentages for 6th-grade students were 60% for public health clinics, 49% for emergency departments, 39% for school-based health centers, and 36% for family planning clinics. Sixth-grade students were not asked about obstetrics/gynecology clinics. Forty-seven percent of respondents identified a doctor's office as the "best" setting to receive vaccines, more than identified any other setting. We concluded that vaccination in one or more settings outside the traditional medical home was acceptable to most adolescents.

Public participation in, and awareness about, medical research opportunities in the era of clinical and translational research

CONTEXT

In the United States, levels of public participation in medical research in the era of Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) are unknown.

METHODS

In 2011, a household survey was administered to a sample of U.S. adults, asking whether they (and children <18 years old) had participated, or were aware of opportunities to participate, in medical research. Respondents living within 100 miles of CTSA sites were identified. Regression analyses of participation and awareness (PA) were performed, applying sampling weights to permit nationally representative inferences.

RESULTS

Overall, 2,150 individuals responded (completion rate = 60%); 65% of adults and 63% of families with children resided within 100 miles of ≥1 CTSA location. Research participation rates were 11% among adults and 5% among children. Among nonparticipants, awareness rates were 64% among adults and 12% among parents of children. PA among adults was associated with higher income and education, older age, presence of chronic conditions, and living within 100 miles of four specific CTSA locations. For children, PA was associated with higher household income and parents' chronic health conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

PA of medical research opportunities is substantially higher for adults than children. Higher PA levels near specific CTSAs merit investigation to identify their successful approaches.

Improving human papillomavirus vaccine delivery: a national study of parents and their adolescent sons

PURPOSE

We examined parents' and adolescents' preferences regarding potential strategies to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates, including offering the vaccine in alternative settings, concomitant administration of vaccines, and optimizing the structure of vaccination medical visits.

METHODS

A national sample of U.S. parents of adolescent boys aged 11-17 years (n = 506) and their sons (n = 391) completed online surveys in August and September 2010. We used analysis of variance for mixed designs to examine preferences for vaccination settings.

RESULTS

Parents and sons were most comfortable with sons receiving HPV vaccine in a doctor's office. Parents of sons who had not visited their regular health care providers in the past year were more comfortable with sons receiving HPV vaccine at a public clinic (p < .001) or school (p < .05) compared with parents whose sons had recent visits. Results from the son survey showed a similar pattern. Parents and sons reported moderate levels of acceptability of concomitant administration. They most preferred to have the three HPV vaccine shots administered during brief nurse visits.

CONCLUSIONS

Offering HPV vaccine in alternative settings and administering it with other recommended adolescent vaccines may increase uptake among adolescent boys. Parents and sons may prefer HPV vaccines be administered during brief nurse visits.

Carpooling and booster seats: a national survey of parents

OBJECTIVE

Booster seat use among school-aged children has been consistently lower than national goals. In this study, we sought to explore associations between parental experiences with booster seats and carpooling.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional Web-based survey of a nationally representative panel of US parents in January 2010. As part of a larger survey, parents of 4- to 8-year-old children responded to 12 questions related to booster seats and carpooling.

RESULTS

Of 1612 parents responding to the full survey (response rate = 71%), 706 had a 4- to 8-year-old child and 681 met inclusion rules. Most parents (76%) reported their child used a safety seat when riding in the family car. Of children reported to use seat belts, 74% did so in accordance with their state law. Parent report of child safety seat use was associated with younger child age and with the presence of state booster seat laws. Sixty-four percent of parents carpool. Among parents who carpool and whose children use a child safety seat: 79% indicated they would always ask another driver to use a booster seat for their child and 55% reported they always have their child use their booster seat when driving friends who do not have boosters.

CONCLUSIONS

Carpooling is a common driving situation during which booster seat use is inconsistent. Social norms and self-efficacy are associated with booster seat use. Clinicians who care for children should increase efforts to convey the importance of using the size-appropriate restraint for every child on every trip.

Parents' experiences with and preferences for immunization reminder/recall technologies

OBJECTIVE

To describe parents' experiences and preferences regarding the use of different communication modes for immunization reminder/recall messages.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, Internet-based survey of a nationally representative sample of parents of children 0 to 17 years of age was performed. Survey items included questions regarding previous receipt of reminder/recall notices; preferences for how to receive notices in the future; recentness of changes to home address, home telephone, cell phone, and e-mail information; child's usual site for immunization; and willingness to register cell phone numbers with the child's immunization provider to receive future cell phone or text messages about immunization.

RESULTS

Overall, 31% of parents had ever received an immunization reminder/recall notice, usually by mail. For future immunization messages, approximately one-third of parents preferred mail or calls to the home telephone, 16% preferred e-mail, and 8% preferred calls to a cell phone. More than one-half of parents had maintained the same home address, home telephone number, cell phone number, or e-mail address for the previous 3 years. More than one-half of parents were willing to register their cell phone numbers with their child's usual immunization provider.

CONCLUSIONS

Although most parents continue to prefer the traditional modes for immunization reminder/recall messages, 1 in 4 preferred newer technologies, and parents' e-mail and cell phone information was surprisingly stable. More than one-half of the parents were willing to register their cell phone numbers for future immunization messaging via cell phone calls or text messages. Research and implementation efforts might benefit from focusing on this willing population.

Coordinating the delivery of vaccinations and other preventive health care recommendations for adolescents

Although recommendations for annual preventive care for adolescents have been in place for decades, the need to bring adolescents to the medical setting for newly recommended vaccines has placed this issue in the public health spotlight. Aggressive efforts have been ongoing to increase adolescent adherence to new vaccine recommendations--a measured outcome variable, and the hope has been that enhanced adherence to comprehensive health care visits will follow. Evidence indicates that the implementation of more comprehensive preventive health care elements among adolescents may be improving; however, a passive approach to bringing more adolescents to preventive health visits using vaccine as an incentive may not be effective for all youth. This paper reviews the history of recommendations for new vaccines as well as comprehensive health care visit recommendations for adolescents, how these recommendations may synergistically improve preventive care for adolescents, and how we may need to continue to think creatively to further access all youth for preventive health care using vaccination implementation as a model for reaching out beyond the providers' office walls.

Parent and adolescent perspectives about adolescent vaccine delivery: practical considerations for vaccine communication

We surveyed parents of adolescents (n=430) and their adolescents ages 15-17 years (n=208) in 9 primary-care settings in Monroe County, NY to assess perceptions about adolescent vaccine delivery. Parents and adolescents most wanted to discuss vaccine side effects and the diseases prevented with the adolescents' provider. Those who perceived vaccines as very safe were more accepting of adolescent vaccines. Most participants agreed with vaccinating the teen during a mild illness and with providing multiple vaccines concomitantly. Participants most preferred medical, as opposed to other settings, for receipt of adolescent vaccines. For parents and adolescents who are wary of vaccination, strategies are needed to enhance communication about risks and benefits of vaccinations.

The role of human papillomavirus vaccination in promoting delivery of other preventive and medical services

OBJECTIVE

Adolescents infrequently present for preventive health visits. The 3-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine may result in increased health care visits and thus indirectly improve health services for teens. We examined whether other health services were delivered in conjunction with the second (HPV2) or third (HPV3) dose of the HPV vaccine.

METHODS

We conducted a chart review for girls 9 to 20 years of age (n = 571) who received HPV2 or HPV3 within 4 months of its due date at any of 9 clinical sites. Analyses were limited to the 422 visits (72%) where HPV vaccine was specified as a reason for the visit. A generalized linear model was used to evaluate the impact of site of care on delivery of other health services.

RESULTS

Nearly half (43%) of adolescents received another medical or preventive health service at the time of HPV2 or HPV3 vaccine administration. Most common services were 1 or more other vaccines (30%) or medical services (35%). Older teens were more likely than younger teens to receive reproductive health services and sexually transmitted infection screening. After controlling for age and adjusting for clustering within sites, receiving care at an academic health center versus a private practice was strongly associated with increased odds of receiving other medical or preventive health services at follow-up (odds ratio 2.07; 95% confidence interval 1.44-2.97).

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents, especially those receiving care at an academic health center, often received other health services at the time of HPV2 or HPV3 vaccination. Because visits occurred within 6 to 8 months of the prior vaccine dose, our findings suggest vaccine visits may lead to improved delivery of adolescent health services.

Human papillomavirus vaccination practices: a survey of US physicians 18 months after licensure

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to assess, in a nationally representative network of pediatricians and family physicians, (1) human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination practices, (2) perceived barriers to vaccination, and (3) factors associated with whether physicians strongly recommended HPV vaccine to 11- to 12-year-old female patients.

METHODS

In January through March 2008, a survey was administered to 429 pediatricians and 419 family physicians.

RESULTS

Response rates were 81% for pediatricians and 79% for family physicians. Ninety-eight percent of pediatricians and 88% of family physicians were administering HPV vaccine in their offices (P<.001). Among those physicians, fewer strongly recommended HPV vaccination for 11- to 12-year-old female patients than for older female patients (pediatricians: 57% for 11- to 12-year-old patients and 90% for 13- to 15-year-old patients; P<.001; family physicians: 50% and 86%, respectively; P<.001). The most-frequently reported barriers to HPV vaccination were financial, including vaccine costs and insurance coverage. Factors associated with not strongly recommending HPV vaccine to 11- to 12-year-old female patients included considering it necessary to discuss sexuality before recommending HPV vaccine (risk ratio: 1.27 [95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.51]) and reporting more vaccine refusals among parents of younger versus older adolescents (risk ratio: 2.09 [95% confidence interval: 1.66-2.81]).

CONCLUSIONS

Eighteen months after licensure, the vast majority of pediatricians and family physicians reported offering HPV vaccine. Fewer physicians strongly recommended the vaccine for younger adolescents than for older adolescents, and physicians reported financial obstacles to vaccination.

Examining the development and sexual behavior of adolescent males

A careful examination of young men's sexuality by health professionals in pediatrics, primary care, and reproductive health is foundational to adolescent male sexual health and healthy development. Through a review of existing published data, this article provides background and a developmental framework for sexual health services for adolescent boys. The article first defines and provides an overview of adolescent boys' sexual health, and then discusses developmentally focused research on the following topics: (1) early romantic relationships and the evolution of power and influence within these relationships; (2) developmental "readiness" for sex and curiosity; (3) boys' need for closeness and intimacy; (4) adopting codes of masculinity; (5) boys' communicating about sex; and (6) contextual influences from peers, families, and providers. This article concludes by examining the implications of these data for sexual health promotion efforts for adolescent males, including human papillomavirus vaccination.