[Efforts towards the consolidation of public policies for the prevention of HPV-associated cancers in Puerto RicoEsforços realizados em Porto Rico para a consolidação de políticas públicas de prevenção de cânceres associados ao HPV]. / Esfuerzos realizados en Puerto Rico hacia la consolidación de políticas públicas para la prevención de cánceres asociados al VPH.

The purpose of this special report is to describe chronologically the events that contributed to the development and approval of legislation and subsequent implementation of a school vaccination mandate in order to prevent HPV and HPV-associated cancers in Puerto Rico (PR). Starting in 2010, PR initiated public-policy approvals aimed at improving cancer registries and HPV vaccine coverage through health insurance for adolescents aged 11 to 18 years. In 2014, scientific and community efforts succeeded in documenting the magnitude of morbidity caused by HPV and jointly developing HPV vaccine prevention and promotion strategies. In August 2018, PR became one of the first four territories of the United States of America to implement the HPV vaccine school entry requirement to decrease the incidence of HPV-associated cancers on the island. In 2019, it was enshrined in law that every immunization provider must submit immunization data to the Puerto Rico Immunization Registry. The case of PR demonstrates that public policy-making alongside collaboration between academic, scientific, and community coalitions can achieve population change and measurable outcomes aimed at HPV prevention. Countries with a similar public health problem could adopt efforts similar to those presented herein and align them with the World Health Organization goal of eradicating cervical cancer by 2030.

O propósito deste relatório especial é descrever cronologicamente os eventos que contribuíram para o desenvolvimento e a aprovação de legislação, e a implementação da exigência escolar de vacinação em Porto Rico (PR), a fim de prevenir o HPV e os cânceres associados a ele. A partir de 2010, PR iniciou as aprovações de políticas públicas com o objetivo de aprimorar o registro dos casos de câncer e a cobertura vacinal contra o HPV, por meio de planos de saúde, em adolescentes de 11 a 18 anos. Em 2014, esforços científicos e comunitários permitiram documentar a magnitude das doenças causadas pelo HPV e elaborar conjuntamente estratégias de prevenção e promoção da vacina contra o HPV. Em agosto de 2018, PR foi um dos primeiros quatro territórios dos Estados Unidos da América a implementar a vacina contra o HPV como exigência escolar, a fim de diminuir a incidência de cânceres associados ao HPV na ilha. Em 2019 ficou garantido por lei que todos os vacinadores devem enviar informações ao Registro de Imunização. O caso de PR demonstra que o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas, em conjunto com parcerias entre coalizões acadêmicas, científicas e comunitárias, alcança mudanças populacionais e resultados mensuráveis dirigidos à prevenção do HPV. Países com uma problemática de saúde pública similar poderiam adotar esforços semelhantes aos apresentados e alinhá-los ao objetivo da Organização Mundial da Saúde: a erradicação do câncer cervical até 2030.

Understanding parents' views toward the newly enacted HPV vaccine school entry policy in Puerto Rico: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) is an essential tool for the prevention of HPV-related cancers. In Puerto Rico, the Secretary of Health established a school entry requirement of at least one dose of HPV vaccination in girls and boys aged 11 and 12 years, taking effect in August 2018. Our study aimed to examine parents' and guardians' views of unvaccinated children about the process of implementation of the new HPV vaccination school entry policy in Puerto Rico and identify potential barriers and facilitators related to the implementation of this requirement. METHODS: During April through November 2019, we conducted three focus groups (n = 12) and eight in-depth semi-structured interviews with parents of children aged 11 and 12 who had not yet initiated the HPV vaccine series. The interview topics addressed were: perception of vaccination, HPV vaccine and it is inclusion as new school entry requirement practice, procedure of the sources of information, influencers, and willingness to change. The interviews were recorded and transcribed by our staff members. We identified emergent themes through thematic analysis. RESULTS: The participants' perspective on the HPV vaccine school requirement was mixed. Lack of information of the HPV vaccines and lack of communication about the school-entry requirement were the themes most mentioned in the interviews. Moreover, previous negative experiences from friends or family members and adverse effects deterred some participants from vaccinating their kids. We discussed barriers in the process of soliciting an exemption. CONCLUSION: Most barriers mentioned by study participants are modifiable. Information about the HPV vaccine mandate's implementation and educational materials regarding HPV vaccine safety need to be provided to address parents' concerns related to the vaccine's side effects. Schools (teachers, principal directors, and administrative staff), the government, and parent organizations need to be part of these efforts. This multilevel approach will help to improve disseminating information about HPV vaccination to clarify doubts and misinformation among parents.

Content analysis of digital media coverage of the human papillomavirus vaccine school-entry requirement policy in Puerto Rico.

BACKGROUND: In August 2018, Puerto Rico (PR) became the 4th state or territory in the United States to adopt a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine school-entry requirement, for students 11-12 years old. Evidence suggests that the content of media coverage may impact people's perception of HPV vaccine and their willingness to vaccinate. This study aimed to analyze the content of digital news coverage related to the implementation of the policy in PR. METHODS: A content review was conducted of digital media published from January 2017 through December 2018. The content reviewed was carried out in two steps: 1) creating a matrix to summarize each article's content about the policy and 2) qualitative analysis using a grounded theory approach. RESULTS: The search resulted in 34 articles obtained from 17 online local and international news outlets that reported the policy's implementation. Analyses showed that 61% of the news articles did not mention the number of required doses, and 79% discussed the new policy concerning cancer prevention. In 2017, news coverage focused mostly on describing the policy, while 2018 coverage focused on controversies surrounding the implementation. Neutral emergent codes included: 1) Description of the policy; 2) Information about HPV related cancers; and 3) General information about HPV vaccine. Negative emergent codes included: 1) infringement to patient and parental autonomy; 2) Hesitancy from the political sector, and 3) Hesitancy from groups and coalitions. Positive content included: 1) knowledge and acceptance of HPV vaccine for cancer prevention; 2) importance of education and protective sexual behaviors; and 3) new vaccination law proposal. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the media coverage in PR was neutral and included limited information related to the vaccine, HPV, and HPV-related cancers. Neutral and negative themes could influence public concerns regarding the new policy, as well as HPV vaccination rates in PR.

Stakeholders' Perceptions on the Implementation of the HPV Vaccine School-Entry Requirement in Puerto Rico during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study explored the implementation of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine school-entry requirement in Puerto Rico during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted 26 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders and community-based organizations from August 2021 to March 2022. The interview guide was developed using the 2009 Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). The interviews were recorded and transcribed in Spanish. Data were analyzed using applied thematic techniques. These themes included the following: (i) Intervention characteristics: Participants noted that the school-entry requirement was effective in increasing vaccination uptake prior to the pandemic. Issues with the immunization registry were noted; (ii) Outer setting: External influences, access barriers, and an increase in HPV vaccine exemptions since the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine were discussed; (iii) Inner setting: Communication within organizations and HPV vaccination efforts improved as the pandemic progressed; (iv) Characteristics of individuals: Most agreed with the school-entry requirement, including exemptions; and (v) Process: Results showed the need to reinforce the population's education about HPV and the vaccine. Implementation of the policy was challenging during the early stages of the pandemic due to measures enacted to stop the spread of COVID-19 and focus on the COVID-19 vaccine. Efforts to increase HPV vaccine should focus on increasing HPV vaccine education and creating collaborations.

Recognizing and treating anal cancer: training medical students and physicians in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE: This training activity aimed at increasing the knowledge of anal cancer screening, diagnostic and treatment options in medical students and physicians, to determine the interest of these individuals in receiving training in the diagnosis and treatment of anal cancer, and to explore any previous training and/or experience with both anal cancer and clinical trials that these individuals might have. METHODS: An educational activity (1.5 contact hours) was attended by a group of medical students, residents and several faculty members, all from the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico (n = 50). A demographic survey and a 6-item pre- and post-test on anal cancer were given to assess knowledge change. RESULTS: Thirty-four participants (68%) answered the survey. Mean age was 29.6 +/- 6.6 years; 78.8% had not received training in anal cancer screening, 93.9% reported being interested in receiving anal cancer training, and 75.8% expressed an interest in leading or conducting a clinical trial. A significant increase in the test scores was observed after the educational activity (pre-test: 3.4 +/- 1.2; post-test: 4.7 +/- 0.71). Three of the items showed an increase in knowledge by the time the post-test was taken. The first of these items assessed the participants' knowledge regarding the existence of any guidelines for the screening/treatment of patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related anal disease. The second of these items attempted to determine whether the participants recognized that anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) 2 is considered to be a high-grade neoplasia. The last of the 3 items was aimed at ascertaining whether or not the participants were aware that warty growths in the anus are not necessarily a manifestation of high-grade AIN. CONCLUSION: This educational activity increased the participants' knowledge of anal cancer and revealed, as well, that most of the participants were interested in future training and in collaborating in a clinical trial. Training physicians from Puerto Rico on anal cancer clinical trials is essential to encourage recruitment of Hispanic patients in these studies now that the guidelines in anal cancer screening and treatment are on their way to be defined.

Attitudes towards HPV and COVID school-entry policies among adults living in Puerto Rico.

Prior to the COVID pandemic, Puerto Rico (PR) had one of the highest Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine rates in the United States. The COVID pandemic and administration of COVID vaccines might have impacted attitudes toward HPV vaccination. This study compared attitudes toward HPV and COVID vaccines with respect to school-entry policies among adults living in PR. A convenience sample of 222 adults (≥21 years old) completed an online survey from November 2021 to January 2022. Participants answered questions about HPV and COVID vaccines, attitudes toward vaccination policies for school-entry, and perceptions of sources of information. We assessed the magnitude of association between the agreement of school-entry policies for COVID and HPV vaccination by estimating the prevalence ratio (PRadjusted) with 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI). The most trusted source of information for HPV and COVID vaccines were healthcare providers (42% and 17%, respectively) and the CDC (35% and 55%, respectively), while the least trusted were social media (40% and 39%, respectively), and friends and family (23% n = 47, and 17% n = 33, respectively). Most participants agreed that HPV (76% n = 156) and COVID vaccines (69% n = 136) should be a school-entry requirement. Agreement with school policy requiring COVID vaccination was significantly associated with agreement of school policy requiring HPV vaccination (PRadjusted:1.96; 95% CI:1.48-2.61) after controlling for potential confounders. Adults living in PR have an overall positive attitude about mandatory HPV and COVID vaccination school-entry policies, which are interrelated. Further research should elucidate the implications of the COVID pandemic on HPV vaccine attitudes and adherence rates.

Human papillomavirus vaccine initiation and up-to-date vaccine coverage for adolescents after the implementation of school-entry policy in Puerto Rico.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been proven effective in the prevention of infection with high-risk HPV types, which can lead to the development of six HPV-related cancers. Puerto Rico (PR) adopted a mandatory HPV vaccination school-entry policy that took effect in August 2018. While school-entry requirements are generally accepted as an effective approach for increasing vaccination rates, there are few studies that have documented their impact on improving HPV vaccination rates. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the HPV school-entry policy in PR on HPV vaccine coverage. We used a pre-post natural experiment. The study population included adolescents registered in the PR Immunization Registry during 2008-2019. We calculated HPV vaccine initiation and up-to-date (UTD) vaccine coverage rates. We estimated age-standardized rates (ASR) and standardized rate ratio with 95%CI. Vaccine data corresponding to a total of 495,327 adolescents were included for analysis; 50.9% were male and 49.1% were females. After policy implementation, a marked increase in raw HPV vaccine initiation among 11- to 12-year-old adolescents was observed across years 2017 (a pre-policy year), 2018, and 2019 (58.3%, 76.3%, and 89.8%, respectively). UTD coverage also showed a moderate increase after policy implementation among 11- to 12-year-old adolescents. The gap between sexes in vaccine initiation and UTD coverage narrowed over time; the ASRs in 2019 showed an increase of 19% in initiation and 7% increase in UTD relative to 2017 for males and females combined (both significant at p<0.05). This study demonstrated evidence of improvement in HPV vaccination rates following implementation of the school-entry policy and a narrowed sex gap in vaccine rates over time in PR. Future analyses should assess how the policy continues to affect vaccine coverage in subsequent years and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted HPV vaccination uptake.

Implementation of the human papillomavirus school-entry requirement in Puerto Rico: barriers and facilitators using the consolidated framework for implementation research.

In 2018, Puerto Rico (PR) enacted a Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine school-entry requirement for students ages 11 to 12. Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), we aimed to identify potential barriers and facilitators of this implementation. We conducted 38 qualitative interviews with stakeholders in PR from different organizations (Department of Health, Schools, Healthcare Providers, and Community organizations). We evaluated construct rating variability between the organizations to determine barriers and facilitators. The strongest facilitator determined was stakeholder's awareness of the parent's and student's needs to meet the HPV school-entry requirement. Other facilitators included initiatives for school-entry policies and the relative advantage of this requirement over different strategies. The strongest barriers included was the cost for private providers to administer the HPV vaccine, the negative influence of social media about the vaccine, which affected parents' acceptance, and the lack of school nurses as available staff resources for the school entry requirement. Findings from this study can be used to improve implementation (adaptations/modifications) and inform other states and countries in earlier stages of consideration of the adoption of similar immunization policies. Most barriers can be modifiable with the implementation of educational programs/training across schools, considering that they are the first line of response to parents of this school entry requirement.

Effect of Hurricane Maria on HPV, Tdap, and meningococcal conjugate vaccination rates in Puerto Rico, 2015-2019.

In September 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated the Caribbean region, among them the US territory of Puerto Rico (PR). Vaccination distribution and uptake suffered from the impact. This study evaluated the trends in monthly vaccination initiation rates for human papilloma virus (HPV), Tdap and meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) adolescent vaccines from 2015 to 2019, during which it was possible to observe and analyze the impact of Hurricane Maria on vaccine initiation. Monthly initiation rates were estimated. Age-standardized initiation rate ratio (SRR) and 95% CI were estimated. The analysis included 85,340 adolescents; 52.3% were male, and 47.7% were females. September 2017 showed HPV vaccine initiation had the lower rates of all the studied vaccines, with a rate of 75% after the disaster (from a rate of almost 90% in July 2017). Tdap and MenACWY vaccines rates remained above 90% in the same period. The SRR of HPV vaccine for September and October 2017 showed an estimated reduction of 5% and 8% in vaccine initiation rates, respectively for each month, when 2016 was the reference year (p > .05). The SRR of Tdap and MenACWY vaccines for November 2017 showed significant reductions when 2015 and 2016 were reference years (p < .05). HPV vaccine initiation rate was the most severely affected by the Hurricane Maria. Post-natural disaster protocols should strengthen existing programs for facilitate immunization access.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Developing Herpes Zoster Among a Cohort of Patients Diagnosed With Lymphoma at a Community Cancer Center.

BACKGROUND: Although most cases of herpes zoster (HZ) are self-limited, lymphoma patients are at greater risk for recurrences and more serious and atypical complications that can delay scheduled anti-lymphoma treatment or prevent its continuation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a cohort study with a retrospective chart review of 415 patients diagnosed with lymphoma to determine the incidence and risk factors for developing HZ among this population. Data collected included date of diagnosis, patient's age, last follow-up or death, stage and presentation of lymphoma, treatment type, baseline laboratory tests, and comorbidities. Patients with a diagnosis of HZ at any time during their course of illness were identified. Patients were divided into various subgroups to analyze their risk of developing HZ individually. The frequencies of each categorical variable were compared with χ2 tests. Relative risks were calculated using 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 8.9 years, 46 cases of HZ were identified, with an overall incidence density of 11.1%. Higher rates of HZ were associated with lymphocytopenia (P = .038), presentation (P = .030), stage (P = .034), autologous stem cell transplant (P = .019), multiple courses of chemotherapy (P = .035), and fludarabine therapy (P = .002). Those who received what we labeled as 'highly immunosuppressive chemotherapy' had 2.9 times the risk to develop HZ than those who did not receive this therapy (95% CI, 1.47-5.623; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Receiving highly immunosuppressive chemotherapy is an independent risk factor for developing HZ. Patients with the risk factors described here might benefit from antiviral prophylaxis against HZ.

Esfuerzos realizados en Puerto Rico hacia la consolidación de políticas públicas para la prevención de cánceres asociados al VPH / Efforts towards the consolidation of public policies for the prevention of HPV-associated cancers in Puerto Rico / Esforços realizados em Porto Rico para a consolidação de políticas públicas de prevenção de cânceres associados ao HPV

RESUMEN El propósito de este informe especial es describir cronológicamente los eventos que contribuyeron al desarrollo y aprobación de la legislación e implementación del requisito escolar de vacunación en Puerto Rico (PR), con el fin de prevenir el VPH y los cánceres asociados a este. A partir del 2010, PR inició las aprobaciones de políticas públicas con el objetivo de mejorar el registro de casos de los cánceres y la cobertura de la vacuna contra el VPH a través de los planes médicos en adolescentes de 11 a 18 años. En el 2014, los esfuerzos científicos y comunitarios lograron documentar la magnitud de las enfermedades causadas por el VPH, y desarrollar en conjunto, estrategias de prevención y promoción de la vacuna contra el VPH. En agosto de 2018, PR logró ser uno de los primeros cuatro territorios de los Estados Unidos de América en implementar la vacuna contra el VPH como requisito escolar con el fin de disminuir la incidencia de cánceres asociados al VPH en la isla. En el 2019 se garantizó por ley que todo proveedor de vacunación debe reportar al Registro de Inmunización. El caso de PR demuestra que el desarrollo de políticas públicas junto con colaboraciones entre coaliciones académicas, científicas y comunitarias, logran cambios poblacionales y resultados medibles dirigidos a la prevención de VPH. Países con una problemática de salud pública similar podrían adoptar esfuerzos similares a los presentados, y alinearlos al objetivo de la Organización Mundial de la Salud: erradicación del cáncer cervical para 2030.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this special report is to describe chronologically the events that contributed to the development and approval of legislation and subsequent implementation of a school vaccination mandate in order to prevent HPV and HPV-associated cancers in Puerto Rico (PR). Starting in 2010, PR initiated public-policy approvals aimed at improving cancer registries and HPV vaccine coverage through health insurance for adolescents aged 11 to 18 years. In 2014, scientific and community efforts succeeded in documenting the magnitude of morbidity caused by HPV and jointly developing HPV vaccine prevention and promotion strategies. In August 2018, PR became one of the first four territories of the United States of America to implement the HPV vaccine school entry requirement to decrease the incidence of HPV-associated cancers on the island. In 2019, it was enshrined in law that every immunization provider must submit immunization data to the Puerto Rico Immunization Registry. The case of PR demonstrates that public policy-making alongside collaboration between academic, scientific, and community coalitions can achieve population change and measurable outcomes aimed at HPV prevention. Countries with a similar public health problem could adopt efforts similar to those presented herein and align them with the World Health Organization goal of eradicating cervical cancer by 2030.

RESUMO O propósito deste relatório especial é descrever cronologicamente os eventos que contribuíram para o desenvolvimento e a aprovação de legislação, e a implementação da exigência escolar de vacinação em Porto Rico (PR), a fim de prevenir o HPV e os cânceres associados a ele. A partir de 2010, PR iniciou as aprovações de políticas públicas com o objetivo de aprimorar o registro dos casos de câncer e a cobertura vacinal contra o HPV, por meio de planos de saúde, em adolescentes de 11 a 18 anos. Em 2014, esforços científicos e comunitários permitiram documentar a magnitude das doenças causadas pelo HPV e elaborar conjuntamente estratégias de prevenção e promoção da vacina contra o HPV. Em agosto de 2018, PR foi um dos primeiros quatro territórios dos Estados Unidos da América a implementar a vacina contra o HPV como exigência escolar, a fim de diminuir a incidência de cânceres associados ao HPV na ilha. Em 2019 ficou garantido por lei que todos os vacinadores devem enviar informações ao Registro de Imunização. O caso de PR demonstra que o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas, em conjunto com parcerias entre coalizões acadêmicas, científicas e comunitárias, alcança mudanças populacionais e resultados mensuráveis dirigidos à prevenção do HPV. Países com uma problemática de saúde pública similar poderiam adotar esforços semelhantes aos apresentados e alinhá-los ao objetivo da Organização Mundial da Saúde: a erradicação do câncer cervical até 2030.