Evaluation of HPV Cancer Free Georgia: Work Group of the Georgia Cancer Control Consortium (GC3) Restricted; Files Only
Dharanipragada, Sonali (Spring 2026)
Abstract
Background: In 2018, an evaluation of the HPV Cancer Free Georgia work group was
conducted to assess their organizational capacity in improving HPV vaccination in Georgia.
Since then, there have been several changes in the public health landscape, including the
COVID-19 pandemic, increases in vaccine hesitancy, and the global call for cervical cancer
elimination. An updated evaluation was conducted to assess the process and impacts of the work
group and examine changes in HPV vaccine related health disparities since then.
Methods: Key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with members and leadership of the
work group to gather their perceptions of the work group’s function and effectiveness. Thematic
analysis of KIIs was conducted using MAXQDA 2024 to identify themes and patterns in the
data. Using data from NIS-Teen surveys 2017 and 2024, HPV vaccine initiation and completion
were analyzed to compare vaccination uptake between the US and Georgia, to assess contextual
changes in health disparities over time across three key demographics, including adolescent sex,
race/ethnicity, and poverty status.
Results: A total of 10 KIIs were conducted with members and leadership of HPV Cancer Free
Georgia. Eight themes were identified from interview transcripts, addressing current successes,
barriers, and suggestions to improve the function and effectiveness of the work group. In the US,
between 2017 and 2024, sociodemographic disparities in HPV vaccine initiation and completion
decreased, primarily due to increases in coverage among adolescent males, Non-Hispanic White
adolescents, and adolescents living at or above the poverty line. However, similar changes were
not observed for Georgia, indicating a need for hyper local efforts to adequately improve vaccine
uptake and significantly reduce disparities.
Conclusions: Continued efforts from the work group are necessary to effectively communicate
the importance of vaccination in preventing HPV-related cancers to vaccine hesitant audiences.
With the ever-changing landscape in public health and shifting trust in vaccination, focused
efforts from the work group in coordinating systems and strengthening science communication
are necessary to achieving cervical cancer elimination and reducing health disparities in Georgia.
Identifying subgroups with suboptimal vaccine coverage will aid in targeting outreach efforts
and effectively increasing vaccine uptake in underserved communities.
Table of Contents
LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................................ 1
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................... 11
METHODS.................................................................................................................................. 13
Qualitative Methods..................................................................................................................................... 13
Quantitative Methods.................................................................................................................................. 15
RESULTS .................................................................................................................................... 17
Qualitative Results....................................................................................................................................... 17
Quantitative Results..................................................................................................................................... 29
DISCUSSION.............................................................................................................................. 33
Qualitative Analysis..................................................................................................................................... 33
Quantitative Analysis.................................................................................................................................. 37
PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS ...................................................................................... 41
CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................... 43
TABLES....................................................................................................................................... 44
Table 1............................................................................................................................................................... 44
Table 2............................................................................................................................................................... 45
Table 3............................................................................................................................................................... 46
Table 4............................................................................................................................................................... 47
Table 5............................................................................................................................................................... 48
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................ 59
About this Master's Thesis
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File download under embargo until 21 May 2028 | 2026-04-22 20:36:05 -0400 | File download under embargo until 21 May 2028 |
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