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Human papillomavirus vaccine coverage among immigrant youth in Alberta: A population-based cohort study

Abstract
Little is known about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among immigrant children in Canada. We conducted a study in Alberta, Canada to assess HPV vaccine coverage among school-aged immigrant children compared with non-immigrant children. This cohort study analyzed population-based linked administrative health data to measure HPV vaccine coverage for 346749 school-aged children, including 31656 immigrants. Coverage was examined at 12 years of age from 2008 to 2018 for females, and from 2014 to 2018 for males and both sexes combined. Vaccine series completion was considered receipt of three doses, with initiation (one or more dose) as a supplementary analysis. Multivariable logistic regression examined the association of vaccine coverage with migration status, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Overall, immigrant children had significantly higher rates of HPV vaccination than nonimmigrant children. When controlled for location, income, biological sex and year, immigrant children still had greater odds of vaccine series completion than nonimmigrant children.
Authors: Crystal Du,Don Voaklander,Salima Meherali,Yuba Raj Paudel,Shannon E. MacDonald Publication Date: 5/24/2024

Publication Type: Journal Article

URL:https://academic.oup.com/inthealth/advance-article/doi/10.1093/inthealth/ihae038/7681129?login=true
Notes

Key findings:

1) Between 2014 and 2018, HPV vaccination coverage among immigrant children at age 12 years was significantly higher (52.58%) compared with non-immigrant children (47.41%).

2) After controlling for place of residence, income quintile, biological sex and year, immigrant children had 1.10 greater odds (95% confidence interval 1.07 to 1.14) of receiving three doses of HPV vaccine compared with non-immigrant children.

3) Immigrants from Asia and Africa had the highest coverage (60.25–68.78%), while immigrants from North America, Oceania and South America had the lowest coverage (39.97–48.36%).

Key populations: school-aged immigrant youth in Alberta

Key recommendations:

Tailor routine immunization promotion strategies based on the country of origin.

Open access: No

Community organizations: n/a

Future research / gaps identified: Data used in this study was pre-COVID-19, and before the HPV vaccine dose-series change (from 3 doses to 2 doses).

Integration timeline: not defined

Location: Alberta broadly


Collections children-youth , public-health

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