Journal article
Expanding access to HPV vaccination in South Carolina through community pharmacies: A geospatial analysis
Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, v 60(6), pp E153-E157
01 Nov 2020
PMID: 32580908
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Objective: Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancer rates are higher in rural areas. Despite the preventive benefits of HPV vaccination, uptake is lower among rural populations. Community-based pharmacies with a strong presence in rural communities may be ideal for improving HPV vaccination access. Our objective was to determine whether spatial access to pharmacies among adolescents and young adults in South Carolina varied by rurality and geographic access to primary care providers.
Methods: Geographic information systems methods were used to evaluate spatial access to community-based pharmacies among persons aged 10-24 years in South Carolina census tracts (CTs). CTs were categorized as metropolitan, micropolitan, or small-town and isolated rural CTs using rural-urban commuting area codes and as health provider shortage areas (HPSAs) or not. Descriptive and spatial statistics were calculated to compare access across CT groupings and to evaluate geospatial clustering.
Results: Areas of highest access clustered among the metropolitan CTs. Whereas spatial access was higher in metropolitan than micropolitan CTs, there was no difference in spatial access between metropolitan and small-town and rural CTs. In general, HPSA-designated areas had lower spatial access to pharmacies than non-HPSA-designated areas. However, in micro-politan areas, there was no difference in spatial access to pharmacies based on HPSA designation.
Conclusion: Spatial access to pharmacies among small town and rural areas was comparable to urban areas as was HPSA-designated micropolitan areas and non-HPSA micropolitan areas. This suggests that pharmacies are equally accessible to both urban and rural populations in South Carolina, but additional research is needed to identify effective strategies to promote the uptake of and the availability of HPV vaccination in pharmacies (e.g., insurance coverage) and to ensure patients are educated on the benefits of HPV vaccinations and its availability in nonprimary care settings. (C) 2020 American Pharmacists Association (R). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Details
- Title
- Expanding access to HPV vaccination in South Carolina through community pharmacies: A geospatial analysis
- Creators
- Whitney E. Zahnd - University of South CarolinaSayward E. Harrison - University of South CarolinaHeather C. Stephens - Texas Health DallasAmy R. Messersmith - Texas Health DallasHeather M. Brandt - University of South CarolinaTessa J. Hastings - University of South CarolinaJan M. Eberth - University of South Carolina
- Publication Details
- Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, v 60(6), pp E153-E157
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 5
- Grant note
- U1CRH30539 / Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; United States Department of Health & Human Services; United States Health Resources & Service Administration (HRSA)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Health Management and Policy
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000585761700031
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85086711569
- Other Identifier
- 991021855278004721
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- Web of Science research areas
- Pharmacology & Pharmacy