Olajumoke Ope Oladoyin

Background: Although the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has the potential to prevent most HPV-related cancers, its uptake in Texas remains lower than the national uptake and the Healthy People 2030’s goal of 80% completion among adolescents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises healthcare professionals (HCPs) to assess immunization status at every clinical encounter and to routinely integrate these standards into their practice. Socioeconomic characteristics of individuals influence HPV vaccination; however, the role of HCPs’ individual characteristics and the ZIP-code-level income of their practice location in the routine assessment of HPV vaccination is unknown. Methods: Using data from a survey of HCPs conducted by MD Anderson in Texas in the year 2021, we examined the association between HCPs’ individual characteristics and the ZIP-code-level income of their practice location in HCPs’ routine assessment of HPV vaccination. Results: This study included 1283 HCPs working in Texas. Overall, 37.6% of HCPs reported routinely assessing HPV vaccination status. Compared with HCPs whose practice was based in lower-income communities (median household income below $56,500), those who practiced in higher-income communities had 32% lower odds of routinely assessing HPV vaccination status (aOR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.48–0.96). Compared to HCPs without prior formal training on HPV vaccination, the odds of HCPs assessing HPV vaccination status routinely were 393% higher (aOR: 4.93; 95% CI: 3.21–7.58) among HCPs who had formally trained less than two years ago, 123% higher (aOR: 2.23; 95% CI: 1.52–3.28) among HCPs formally trained between two and five years ago, and 92% (aOR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.28–2.87) higher among HCPs formally trained more than five years ago. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and education to promote routine HPV vaccination communication and status assessment among HCPs in higher-income communities in Texas. These efforts should include approaches to address vaccine hesitancy and introduce reminders and system-level prompts. Future research should investigate the contextual and organizational factors that contribute to these income-related differences to better inform implementation strategies.

Background: Mobile digital wellness and health apps play a significant role in optimizing health and aiding in cancer management and decision-making. Objective: This study aims to identify the factors influencing the use of mobile health and wellness apps among cancer information seekers in the United States. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Health Information National Trends Survey. Our analysis focused on 4770 participants who sought cancer information. We performed weighted univariate and multivariable logistic regression to determine the association between the use of health and wellness apps and socioeconomic factors, medical history and conditions, and lifestyle and behavioral factors. Results: A total of 4770 participants who sought cancer information were included in the final analysis. Of these, 80.9% (n=2705) were health and wellness app users, while 19.1% (n=793) were nonusers. In the final adjusted model, participants with household incomes ≥US $50,000 had 49% higher adjusted odds of using these apps than those with incomes <US $50,000 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.49, 95% CI 1.02-2.14). College graduates and those with higher educational levels were avid users compared to those with a high school diploma or less (aOR=1.87, 95% CI 1.30-2.67). Internet users had over 3 times the odds of using these apps compared to nonusers (aOR=3.28, 95% CI 1.70-6.33). Participants within the age group 18-34 years were 3.70 times more likely (aOR=3.70, 95% CI 1.90-7.23) to use a health and wellness app compared to participants within the age group of 75 years and older. Conclusions: Age, education, household income, and use of the internet are the major determinants of the adoption of digital health and wellness apps among seekers of cancer information. Hence, public health programs could be directed toward addressing these factors to improve cancer diagnosis, treatment, and management using these apps.

This is a peer review report related to MS ID#64811

BACKGROUND Mobile digital wellness and health apps play a significant role in optimizing health and aiding in cancer management and decision-making OBJECTIVE This study aims to identify the factors influencing the use of mobile health and wellness apps among cancer information seekers in the United States. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of adults using data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). We performed weighted univariate and multivariable logistic regression to determine the association between the use of health and wellness apps and socio-economic factors, medical history and conditions, and lifestyle and behavioral factors RESULTS Adults with a family history of cancer were more likely to use digital health and wellness apps compared to those without any family history of cancer (82.7% vs 17.3%). Participants with household incomes ≥ $50,000 had 49% higher adjusted odds of using these apps than those with incomes < $50,000 (aOR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.03 - 2.17). College graduates and those with higher educational levels were avid users compared to those with a high school diploma or less (aOR=1.84, 95% CI: 1.29 - 2.62). Internet users had over three times the odds of using these apps compared to non-users (aOR=3.31, 95% CI: 1.70 - 6.46). CONCLUSIONS Age, education, household income, and use of the internet are the major determinants of the adoption of digital health and wellness apps among seekers of cancer information. Hence, public health programs could be directed toward addressing these factors to improve cancer diagnosis, treatment, and management using these apps CLINICALTRIAL None