Retail Clinic Nurse Practitioner Knowledge, Barriers, and Practice Recommendations: Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

Abstract

Literature is limited on human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization practices in retail clinics. This cross-sectional study examined nurse practitioner (NP) knowledge, perceived barriers, and practices for recommending HPV vaccination in retail clinic settings (N = 67). Barriers included caregiver denial of their children's risk for infection and lack of insurance. NP vaccination recommendation rates were 40.3% for males age 11-12, 49.3% for females age 11-12, and 62.7% for females or males age 13-26 years old. Retail clinic NPs are knowledgeable of HPV guidelines and understand barriers but may not utilize opportunities to recommend vaccination as frequently as may be appropriate.