Association Between Contextual Factors and Vaccine Coverage Against Human Papilomavirus in Adolescents in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil: Global Spatial Regressions

The objective of this study was to identify the associations of socioeconomic factors and the social environment with human papillomavirus vaccine coverage in adolescents in the state of Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil. This is an ecological study carried out with secondary data from 853 municipalities in the State of MG for female adolescents from 2014 to 2022 and male adolescents from 2017 to 2022 provided by the information system of the National Immunization Program. For spatial statistical analysis, spatial dependence and the presence of spatial clusters formed by municipalities with high and low coverage of the human papillomavirus vaccine were evaluated. The first and second doses among male adolescents in most municipalities in the state of Minas Gerais were considered very low (< 50%) or low (≥ 50% to < 80%). Among female adolescents, the highest percentages were adequate (≥ 80%) or low (≥ 50% to < 80%). Socioeconomic factors, area factors and their interactions may influence vaccination against human papillomaviruses. The disparities found in this study related to vaccination coverage rates throughout the state of MG demonstrate the need to implement intervention actions aimed at this population to increase coverage and, consequently, reduce health problems such as cervical cancer.