Awareness and attitude towards human papillomavirus and its vaccine among females with and without daughter(s) who participated in cervical cancer screening in Shenzhen, China.

Abstract

To evaluate the awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine, and willingness to be vaccinated against HPV, among women with and without daughter(s) in Shenzhen, China. Cross-sectional survey in January and June 2015 by means of a self-administered questionnaire to collect information. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the factors associated with awareness of HPV and its vaccine and the willingness to be vaccinated. A total of 9855 women (mean age 37.09years, SD 7.48) were included in the analysis. Although only 42.3% had heard of HPV and 21.0% of HPV vaccine, 63.3% were willing to be vaccinated. 73.9% of the 5799 women with daughter(s) were willing have their daughter(s) vaccinated. Women with daughter(s) did not have a higher awareness of HPV (43.2% vs. 41.5%, P=0.109) and HPV vaccine (21.1% vs. 20.9%, P=0.854) than women without daughter(s), but did tend to be more willing to be vaccinated themselves (66.3% vs. 59.9%, P<0.001). Women's awareness of HPV and specific knowledge of HPV vaccine were predictors of the willingness to have both themselves and their daughters vaccinated. These associations may be modified by residency status, education and monthly income. Although awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine among women in Shenzhen was low, willingness to have themselves and their daughter(s) vaccinated was relatively high, especially among mothers. High awareness of HPV and its vaccine will help improve the acceptability of HPV vaccination according to residency status, education and monthly income.