Date of Award

2020-01-01

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

Advisor(s)

Lawrence Cohn

Abstract

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States and a known risk factor for cervical cancer. Several HPV vaccines have been approved as a primary prevention option. Vaccination rates remain low among Latinas, despite a disproportionately high rate of cervical cancer rates of among this population. Few culturally tailored interventions to promote HPV vaccination have been developed for Latina young adults. The first objective of the present study was to test the efficacy of a culturally-tailored fotonovela to increase intention to vaccinate among Mexican American female young adults. The second objective was to test the differential efficacy of a culturally-tailored fotonovela among Mexican American female young adults and a comparison group of non-Latina Whites female young adults. The third objective of this study was to test identification and transportation as potential mediators. Results showed that Mexican American participants who read the fotonovela showed significantly greater gains in HPV knowledge and a stronger intention to perform modelled behaviors in comparison to non-Latina Whites who read the fotonovela. Additionally, Mexican American participants who read the fotonovela showed significantly greater gains in HPV knowledge, HPV vaccine knowledge, and a stronger intention to perform modelled behaviors in comparison to those who read a CDC fact sheet. Findings from this study provide partial evidence for fotonovelas as an effective HPV vaccine intervention for Latina young adults.

Keywords: HPV, HPV vaccine, fotonovela, Latinas

Language

en

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

File Size

125 pages

File Format

application/pdf

Rights Holder

Erica Landrau

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