Abstract A002: HPV Vaccination Disparities by Gender Identity Among Adults Aged 18–44-Year-Olds

Abstract Background: In the U.S., human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has been recommended for individuals up to age 26, although it is currently approved for people up to age 45. While lower rates of vaccination are expected for adults between the ages of 27 and 45, there is limited research examining vaccination rates among this age cohort across all gender subgroups. This research aimed to explore HPV vaccination status, with subgroup analyses by gender identity, sexual orientation, and sociodemographic/access to care factors that may serve as barriers to or facilitators of vaccination. Methods: This study utilized data from the 2019-2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The analytic sample included individuals who reported their gender identity, sexual orientation, and HPV vaccination status. Weighted, multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with vaccination initiation and completion. Results: The 17,382 individuals aged 18-44 years included 8,134 cismales, 9,164 cisfemales, 37 transmales, and 47 transfemales. Vaccination initiation and completion rates were low, at 24.2% and 9.5%, respectively, and varied by gender identity: cismales (15.7%/4.1%), cisfemales (29.6%/12.6%), transmales (37.7%/17.9%), and transfemales (40.2%/8.8%) (P < .0001). In weighted multivariable models, cismales were significantly less likely than cisfemales to initiate (OR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.34-0.47) and complete (OR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.21-0.33) vaccination. However, no significant differences were observed for transmales and transfemales compared to cismales. Factors associated with lower initiation included older age, non-Hispanic Black race, being married, having a high school diploma, rural residence, lack of insurance, and no regular healthcare provider. Factors associated with lower completion included older age, non-Hispanic Black race, being married, having a high school diploma, and no regular healthcare provider. Conclusion: HPV vaccination rates in the U.S. are low across all gender subgroups. Understanding vaccination disparities, particularly those related to gender identity, as well as identifying vaccination facilitators and barriers, is crucial for informing policy and program efforts, especially for adults between the ages of 27 and 45 who were excluded from the initial vaccination recommendations. Citation Format: Minjee Lee, Meng-Han Tsai. HPV Vaccination Disparities by Gender Identity Among Adults Aged 18–44-Year-Olds [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A002.