TY - JOUR
T1 - Conversations about sexual activity within Haitian families
T2 - implications for HPV vaccine uptake
AU - Pierre-Victor, Dudith
AU - Stephens, Dionne
AU - Gabbidon, Kemesha
AU - Jean-Baptiste, Naomie
AU - Clarke, Rachel
AU - Madhivanan, Purnima
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Objective: Parents play an integral role in young adults’ sexual health including human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine decision-making. The objective of this study was to explore conversations regarding sexual activity in Haitian households and the influence of such conversations on young Haitian women's HPV vaccine discussion with their parents. Methods: From a large university in the southeastern United States, 30 Haitian-American college women (ages 17–26) were recruited for semi-structured in-depth interviews. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Most participants stated that they either did not have conversations regarding sexual activity or the conversations that they had were described as ‘uncomfortable’ or ‘awkward’. Many participants stated that once parents knew that HPV is sexually transmitted, their discussions about the vaccine would be considered an announcement of their sexual debut or sexual activity. Hence, many decided to not discuss the HPV vaccine with their parents. Conclusion: Findings have important implications for HPV vaccine uptake. Results showed that a lack of conversations about sexual activity within Haitian households led to limited discussions about the HPV vaccine among young Haitian-American college women and their parents. Future HPV vaccine uptake efforts should integrate familial and cultural beliefs about female sexuality, while focusing on cervical cancer prevention.
AB - Objective: Parents play an integral role in young adults’ sexual health including human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine decision-making. The objective of this study was to explore conversations regarding sexual activity in Haitian households and the influence of such conversations on young Haitian women's HPV vaccine discussion with their parents. Methods: From a large university in the southeastern United States, 30 Haitian-American college women (ages 17–26) were recruited for semi-structured in-depth interviews. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Most participants stated that they either did not have conversations regarding sexual activity or the conversations that they had were described as ‘uncomfortable’ or ‘awkward’. Many participants stated that once parents knew that HPV is sexually transmitted, their discussions about the vaccine would be considered an announcement of their sexual debut or sexual activity. Hence, many decided to not discuss the HPV vaccine with their parents. Conclusion: Findings have important implications for HPV vaccine uptake. Results showed that a lack of conversations about sexual activity within Haitian households led to limited discussions about the HPV vaccine among young Haitian-American college women and their parents. Future HPV vaccine uptake efforts should integrate familial and cultural beliefs about female sexuality, while focusing on cervical cancer prevention.
KW - Haitians households
KW - college women
KW - cultural norms
KW - sexuality discussion
KW - vaccine discussion
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85055537162&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85055537162&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/13557858.2018.1539221
DO - 10.1080/13557858.2018.1539221
M3 - Article
C2 - 30353738
AN - SCOPUS:85055537162
SN - 1355-7858
VL - 26
SP - 571
EP - 584
JO - Ethnicity and Health
JF - Ethnicity and Health
IS - 4
ER -