Date of Award

4-28-2019

Document Type

Distinction Paper

Degree Name

Health Promotion and Fitness-BA

Department

Health & Sport Sciences

Advisor

Robert E. Braun, Ph.D.

First Committee Member

Erica Van Dop, Ph.D.

Second Committee Member

Joan Rocks, Ph.D.

Third Committee Member

Steffanie Burk, Ph.D.

Keywords

Educational Intervention, HPV, Somali, Vaccination

Subject Categories

Other Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Somali mothers have a negative cultural association with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and youth are failing to complete the HPV vaccination series. Somali immigrants and refugees are the fastest growing groups in the U.S. Somalia also has one of the highest cervical cancer mortality rates and U.S. Somali populations have lower screening completion rates. To prevent cross over disparities, efficient intervention strategies for the Somali population need to be explored. This research aims to identify strategies to combat HPV health disparities in the Somali community while promoting agency to make self-empowered health decisions. It is hypothesized that participants who undergo the educational intervention will improve their knowledge and behavioral intention towards the HPV vaccine. A pre-/post-test quasiexperimental design was performed to gauge differences between an educational intervention and standard care practice (HPV informational vaccine sheet). The study utilized the Health Belief Model and cultural competency values to create an educational intervention delivered at relocation sites frequented by Somali immigrants. A repeated measures ANOVA was examined utilizing SPSS. The study analyzed 69 participants. The participants’ ages ranged from 13-50 years old. Participants in the experimental group gained a greater understanding of HPV and the vaccine when compared to the control group (F(2, 1) = 5.54, p = .002). Both groups experienced an increase in knowledge but no variance in intentions to vaccinate was observed (�(2, 1) = 0.082, p = .776). Overall, participants deemed each educational method as beneficial. Health care providers who disseminate information will increase knowledge either by standard care or intervention. Additional research is needed to connect knowledge with behavioral outcomes. This study provides a stepping-stone for healthcare providers who seek to equitably educate and reduce HPV in the Somali population.

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