Human papillomavirus vaccine and Pap tests on college campuses: How do historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) measure up?

J Am Coll Health. 2016 Nov-Dec;64(8):613-618. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2016.1213731. Epub 2016 Jul 25.

Abstract

Objective: The availability of cervical cancer prevention services at college health centers was compared between historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and non-HBCUs.

Methods: Four-year, non-primarily distant learning colleges, matching HBCUs with randomly selected non-HBCUs within the same states (N = 136) were examined. Data were collected (2014-2015 academic year) on the availability of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and Pap tests at college health centers. HBCUs were compared with non-HBCUs using conditional logistic regression, and correlates of offering these services were identified.

Results: Many institutions did not offer HPV vaccine or Pap tests. Fewer HBCUs offered HPV vaccine (18% vs 53%) and Pap tests (50% vs 76%) compared with non-HBCUs. In multivariable analyses, HBCUs remained less likely than non-HBCUs to offer HPV vaccine (odds ratio [OR] = 0.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02-0.26) and Pap tests (OR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.06-0.61).

Conclusions: Greater effort is needed to make cervical cancer prevention services available at colleges, especially at HBCUs.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; human papillomavirus; papanicolaou test.

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Papanicolaou Test / statistics & numerical data*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Papillomavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Student Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Students
  • Universities / classification
  • Universities / statistics & numerical data
  • Vaginal Smears / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • Papillomavirus Vaccines