Correlates of HPV vaccination intention and uptake among Asian American and Pacific Islander populations in the USA: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major global health concern linked to cancers. Although a safe and effective vaccine exists, HPV vaccination rates are still low among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) populations. Barriers such as limited awareness, cultural stigma and systemic inequities contribute to this gap. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compile current evidence on HPV vaccination behaviours and related factors among AAPIs to help develop culturally tailored interventions and public health strategies. This review will include descriptive and correlational studies (quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods), examining HPV vaccination intention or uptake among AAPI populations in the USA from inception to December 2024. Randomised controlled trials and intervention studies will be excluded. Databases to be searched include PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Cochrane. Study screening, data extraction and quality assessment will be conducted independently by three reviewers using standardised tools. Risk of bias in non-randomised studies will be assessed using Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I), and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist will be used for qualitative studies. Quantitative findings will be synthesised narratively and, where appropriate, through meta-analysis using random-effects models. Qualitative themes will be synthesised to contextualise quantitative results. Ethics approval is not required for this protocol as it does not involve primary data collection. Findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis will provide critical insights for promoting HPV vaccination and reducing HPV-related cancer disparities among AAPIs. CRD420251008431.