Independent Samples t-Test and Regression analysis are two statistical technigues used to analyzed the relationship between political orientation of the population of the states and the HPV vaccination rates of those states. As shown in Table 1, on average, states with majority Democrat or Liberal-leaning population have a higher HPV vaccination rates (M = 38.86, SE = 1.46), than states with majority Republican or Conservative-leaning population (M = 30.97, SE = 1.71). The difference is statistically significant t(49) = -3.53, p < .05 with a medium sized effect r = .45. The effect size was calculated by converting the t-statistics using the value of t and degree of freedom (df) in the SPSS output in the Appendix. The square of the t value (-3.5302) is divided by the square of the t value plus the degree of freedom (-3.5302 + 49). The effect size (.45) is derived by taking the square root of the quotient. Table 1
Group statistics and Significance levels Variable N Mean SE Sig Democrat-leaning states 27 38.86 1.46 .001 Republican-leaning states 24 30.97 1.71 .001 Note: Sig = Significance level A visual comparison of the two groups of states and their HPV vaccination rates are shown in the scatter plots in Figure 1 and Figure 2. In Figure 1, as a state becomes more conservative, the HPV vaccination rate decreases, and in Figure 2, as a state becomes more liberal, the HPV vaccination rate increases. However, as Table 2 shows, the correlation coefficient (R2) is .11 when HPV vaccination rate are analyzed in Democrat-leaning states. This means, in Democrat-leaning states, liberal political orientation accounts for 11% of the variation in HPV vaccination rate. In Republican-leaning states, the correlation coefficient (R2) is .19. This means, conservative political orientation accounts for 19% of the variation in HPV vaccination rates. Table 2
Group statistics and Significance levels Variable R Square Adjusted R Square Democrat-leaning states .109 .091 Republican-leaning states .189 .172
Figure 1 Scatter plot of Republican political orientation compared to HPV vaccination rates
Figure 2 Scatter plot of Demecrat political orientation compared to HPV vaccination rates
Potential Significance of the Study Poverty, the lack of parental education on the importance of HPV vaccinntion of their children, and the cost of the vaccine have been known to inhibit vaccination rates (Jacobson, Roberts, & Darden, 2013; Reiter et al., 2009). The significance of this study is to explore political orientation as a predictive factor to vaccination rates. With this study, perhaps policy makers in both liberal and conversative states can put aside their political beliefs and use science as a basis for making public health policy. I currently reside in a conservative–leaning state – Georgia. As an opportunity to make social change through education, I will reformat this report and send it to policy makers in the Georgia legislature so that more funding can be budgeted for HPV vaccination in the state.
