Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors Associated With HPV Vaccination in Georgia’s South Central Health District

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes are the primary cause of cervical cancer. Despite introduction of the HPV vaccine in 2006, vaccination percentages remain low across Georgia counties. The primary objective of this research was to conduct a descriptive epidemiological study of HPV vaccination coverage among individuals in the South Central Health District (SCHD) to provide guidance for targeted vaccination campaigns aimed at adolescents residing in rural communities. Methods: Data from the Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services and AEGIS.net, Inc. were used to analyze demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with HPV vaccine uptake among individuals visiting county health departments in the SCHD from 2007-2014. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the relationship between sex, age at first vaccination, county of vaccine administration, race, and insurance status to vaccine series completion. Results: In the SCHD, Johnson County had the highest completion percentage (50%); Montgomery County had the lowest (20%). However, Montgomery County had the fastest time to completion (334 days). Throughout the district, males were fully vaccinated at much lower percentages than females (p \u3c 0.001). Race was a significant variable (p=0.011) for vaccine completion. Compared to other racial groups, more White individuals completed the HPV vaccine. Absolute counts of HPV vaccine doses peaked in the study population during 2010 (n=507). Conclusions: Due to overall low rates, community-based intervention methods should be considered to increase HPV vaccine uptake across the SCHD. School-based programs may be useful in targeting at-risk populations and increasing rates of HPV vaccine initiation and completion. Expanded efforts are needed to determine the best structure for effective school-based programs

Effective Practices and Recommendations for Drive-Through Clinic Points of Dispensing: A Systematic Review

Objective: Drive-through clinics (DTCs) are a novel type of point of dispensing where participants drive to a designated location and receive prophylaxis while remaining inside their vehicle. The objective of this review was to identify effective practices and recommendations for implementing DTCs for mass prophylaxis dispensing during emergency events. Methods: A systematic review was conducted for articles covering DTCs published between 1990 and 2019. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed, written in English, and addressed DTCs sufficiently. Effective practices and recommendations identified in the literature were presented by theme. Results: A total of 13 articles met inclusion criteria. The themes identified were (1) optimal DTC design and planning via decision support systems and decision support tools; (2) clinic layouts, locations, and design aspects; (3) staffing, training, and DTC communication; (4) throughput time; (5) community outreach methods; (6) DTC equipment; (7) infection prevention and personal protective equipment; and (8) adverse events prevention and traffic management. Conclusions: DTCs are an essential component of emergency preparedness and must be optimally designed and implemented to successfully dispense mass prophylaxis to a community within 48 hours. The effective practices and recommendations presented can be used for the development, implementation, and improvement of DTCs for their target populations