Abstract A128: National partnerships for HPV promotion: An evaluation using the Association of Immunization Managers annual survey

Abstract Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States of America (USA). Strategies from immunization programs aimed to promote HPV vaccine uptake through different alliances, including health community-based organizations and coalitions have been implemented nationally. Despite these efforts, vaccination rates remain under 80%. Understanding the extent of these partnerships and the geographic differences in the number of collaborations will aid in identify successful alliances at the national level for the promotion of HPV vaccine. Objective: This study aims to describe the frequency and the degree of partnerships for the promotion of the HPV vaccine. Methods: Immunization Program Managers (IPMs) in the USA were surveyed from August 2021 to February 2022 as part of the Implementation of School-Entry Policies for Papilloma Virus Vaccination (HPV-PIVac) study. A survey gathered information from IPMs on established partnerships and their extent of collaborations at two different levels. Of 22 partners, IPMs reported which groups or organizations had partnerships for HPV vaccine promotion occurred within the past year. Then, from each of the partnerships reported, IPMs categorized their collaboration strength by rank (networking, cooperating, coordinating, and/or collaborating). Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed to assess the patterns in the number of collaborations and their strength. The results were geographically mapped among the participant states and territories that completed the survey. To assess the relationship between the number of collaborations and the strength of collaborations, the Pearson correlation coefficient was estimated. Afterward, a linear regression model was used to compare the magnitude of association between the number of collaborations and the strength of those collaborations. Results: A total of 49 IPMs from 32 different states and territories participated, resulting in a 54.2% participation rate. The most common partnerships reported were with local health departments (80.0%), community health centers (78.0%), American Cancer Society (74.0%), and immunization coalitions (74.0%). The relationship between number of collaborations and strength of collaborations resulted in a positive and strong linear relationship (r = 0.91; p<0.05). For each unit of increment in the number of partnerships, the estimated strength of these partnerships increases by 2.78 (95% CI: 2.29-3.26). The Western region had a greater number of collaborations varying between moderate and strong number of partnerships in states such as Arizona and Utah. Likewise, the Western region had a greater extent of those partnerships fluctuating between strong and moderate strength. Conclusion: This study documents the prevalent dynamic of partnerships and alliances among IPMs nationally. A higher number of partnerships is associated with the strength of these collaborations, which encourages further engagement in states whose partnerships are weak. Funding: NCI Grant #R01CA232743 Citation Format: Alondra K. Mercado-Andino, Yiana G. Toro-Garay, Olga L. Díaz-Miranda, Diana T. Medina-Laabes, Ana P. Ortiz, Katelyn Wells, Erick Suárez, Vivian Colón-López. National partnerships for HPV promotion: An evaluation using the Association of Immunization Managers annual survey [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A128.