Browsing by Subject "health knowledge"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Behavior and health beliefs as predictors of HIV testing among women: a prospective study of observed HIV testing
    (Taylor & Francis, 2018) Fan, Hao; Fife, Kenneth H.; Cox, Dena; Cox, Anthony D.; Zimet, Gregory D.; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Much of the research examining predictors of HIV testing has used retrospective self-report to assess HIV testing. Findings. therefore, may be subject to recall bias and to difficulties determining the direction of associations. In this prospective study, we administered surveys to women in community clinics to identify predictors of subsequent observed HIV testing, overcoming these limitations. Eighty-three percent were tested. In the adjusted multivariable model, being born in the U.S., perceived benefits of testing, worries about being infected with HIV, having had more than 15 lifetime sexual partners, and having had one or more casual sexual partners in the previous three months predicted acceptance of testing. Perceived obstacles to testing predicted non-acceptance. Those who had never been tested for HIV and those tested two to five years previously had greater odds of test acceptance than those who had been tested within the last year. The findings from this study with observed testing as the outcome, confirm some of the results from retrospective, self-report studies. Participants made largely rational decisions about testing, reflecting assessments of their risk and their history of HIV testing. Health beliefs are potentially modifiable through behavioral intervention, and such interventions might result in greater acceptance of testing.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Social Networks for Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Advice Among African American Parents
    (Elsevier, 2019-04-05) Fu, Linda Y.; Zimet, Gregory D.; Latkin, Carl A.; Joseph, Jill G.; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Purpose Despite that human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination could prevent ~90% of HPV-associated cancers, only 60.6% of American adolescents initiate vaccination. African Americans have the highest prevalence of morbidity and mortality from HPV-associated cancers. Mounting evidence suggests that advice from social contacts is associated with vaccine acceptance. The current study examines the associations of social processes with HPV vaccine refusal among African American parents. Methods A cross sectional survey was conducted among African American parents of children ages 10–12 years prior to a healthcare visit at which HPV vaccine was offered by the healthcare provider. Data from the 353 parents who named at least one social contact who advised them about vaccines were included in these analyses. Results Only 54.4% of the participants consented to HPV vaccination for their children. On average, parents had 2 to 3 social contacts who provided vaccine advice. Vaccine advice networks were generally dense, family-centric, and homophilous. Slightly over 80% of all parents trusted family members and friends for vaccine advice “some or “a lot.” Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and reason for the healthcare visit, perceived high exposure to anti-HPV vaccine viewpoints and low exposure to pro-HPV vaccine viewpoints were both associated with HPV vaccine refusal (AOR=1.5, 95% CI=1.01, 2.3, and AOR=1.7, 95% CI=1.2, 2.6, respectively). Conclusions Social processes may be associated with HPV vaccine refusal among African American parents. Interventions designed to educate African American parents about HPV vaccine to increase uptake should consider leveraging vaccine advice networks for greater impact.