Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance
Date Submitted: Mar 1, 2022
Date Accepted: Jul 18, 2022
Google Trends on HPV vaccine searches in the U.S. from 2010 - 2021: An Infodemiology Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended for adolescents and young adults to prevent HPV-related cancers and genital warts. However, HPV vaccine update among the target age groups is sub-optimal.
Objective:
This infodemiological study examined public online searches in the United States related to the HPV vaccine from January 2010 to December 2021.
Methods:
Google Trends (GT) was used to explore online searches related to the HPV vaccine from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2021. Online searches and queries on HPV vaccine were investigated using relative search volumes (RSVs). ANOVA tests were performed to identify year-over-year and state differences in HPV vaccine searches. Simple linear regression analysis was performed to investigate state-level correlations between HPV vaccine searches and physicians’ density, HPV vaccine coverage, health insurance, and internet access. An alpha level was set to 0.05.
Results:
Searches related to HPV vaccine increased over time, often following federal changes related to vaccine administration; however, beginning in 2020 we see a precipitous drop in HPV vaccine searches. Year-wise public interest varied significantly from 2010 to 2021 (F = 5.36; P < 0.001. “Vaccine for HPV,” “HPV side effects,” and “HPV vaccine side effects” are the top HPV vaccine-related queries. The highest year-over-year HPV vaccine searches at the state level were observed in West Virginia (+5.7%) and lowest in Montana (-3.8%). HPV vaccine searches at the state level were significantly correlated with state-level health insurance (P = 0.004), physician density (P = 0.022), and HPV vaccine coverage (P = 0.006), but no association was observed with internet use (P = 0.193).
Conclusions:
We identified annual change and differences at the state level in the online searches, and a growing interest in the HPV vaccine. The majority of the searches were related to vaccine safety, general awareness, and HPV vaccine for men. Beginning in 2020, searches related to HPV vaccine declined drastically, likely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health organizations can use GT as a powerful tool to characterize the public interest and promote the HPV vaccine in the USA.
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