Alyssa A. Martinez

Background/Objectives: Hispanics living in the United States have higher rates of diagnosis and mortality from certain kinds of cancers, including human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers. HPV vaccines can prevent 90% of HPV-associated cancers. Methods: The purpose of this study was to recruit a sample of Hispanic parents to investigate trusted sources of HPV vaccine information. An online survey was used to collect data from Hispanic parents who reported having children between the ages of 11 and 17. Results: Parents of children 11–17 years of age (n = 203, M_age = (38, SD = 6.97; female 85.1%) were included. The top five trusted sources of HPV vaccine information were medical doctors (95.1%), registered nurses (54.2%), the CDC (47.8%), the WHO (45.3%), and pharmacists (25.6%). The two least trusted sources were the president of the U.S. (7.9%) and religious leaders (3%). Hierarchical linear regression models revealed that HPV vaccine acceptance was associated with trusting registered nurses (p < 0.001) and the CDC (p = 0.026) in recommending the HPV vaccine. Importantly, the family-held belief that vaccines cause autism was strongly correlated with personal beliefs that vaccines cause autism (r = 0.58; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Findings from this study have clinical implications for the development of interventions and health communication strategies that leverage trusted sources of information including medical doctors and registered nurses to encourage preventive health behaviors. Additionally, our findings support that pharmacists should be included in these interventions as they are often an underused resource and are trusted by their patients for vaccine information.

Hispanic adults have an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) at a younger age and diagnosis of certain cancers, including liver, stomach, and colorectal, which may be attributed to metabolic health. Several key metabolic health indicators, such as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), have been linked to obesity. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the complex relationships between socio-behavioral factors that lead to the increased incidence of metabolic syndrome (e.g., HbA1c) and chronic inflammation (interleukins) in Hispanics. Two hundred and twelve Hispanic participants (M_age = 43.45, SD = 15.36) who identified predominantly as female (72.17%) were included in the study. Correlational analyses revealed that HbA1c was positively associated with age and negatively associated with several socio-behavioral factors, including overall health, quality of life, physical health, physical performance, social support, mother’s education, and father’s education. These findings highlight the importance of social support and parental involvement in diabetes management. The focused integration of socio-behavioral and biological data provides a powerful foundation for future research and the development of targeted interventions.

Hispanic populations are disproportionately impacted by HPV-associated cancers. An HPV vaccine is available that protects against 90% of HPV-associated cancers. Understanding the factors associated with HPV vaccine uptake, including identifying whom individuals trust to recommend the HPV vaccine, is an important step toward developing public health interventions for promoting the HPV vaccine among Hispanic people. The purpose of this pilot study was to use a qualitative approach to identify trustworthy messengers to disseminate HPV vaccine information among Mexican American (MA) parents of children of 11–17 years of age. Three 90 min pilot focus groups with three to five participants in each group were conducted. The inclusion criteria included being 18 years of age or older, residing in El Paso, TX, identifying as MA, speaking English, and being a parent of a child between the ages of 11 and 17. Focus groups were conducted with 15 predominately female participants (Mage = 38.46, SD = 5.73; Female = 93.3%). A reoccurring theme throughout all three focus groups was that pediatricians, registered nurses, and pharmacists were identified as the most trusted sources of information. Findings from this study have implications for designing public health interventions that leverage pediatricians, registered nurses, and pharmacists to promote the HPV vaccine among parents.