Knowledge and Acceptance of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine for Cervical Cancer Prevention Among Urban Professional Women in Bangladesh: A Mixed Method Study.

Abstract

Prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is the most effective preventive method against invasive cervical cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Bangladesh. Evidence on women's knowledge and perception about cervical cancer and HPV vaccination are needed for effective implementation of national cervical cancer prevention programs. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and acceptance of cervical cancer, HPV, and HPV vaccination among urban professional women in Bangladesh. We recruited 160 female professionals employed at selected private banks in Bangladesh. Participants were selected using nonprobability-based convenience sampling for interviews through a self-administered questionnaire. Later, in-depth interviews were conducted with nine of these women. Quantitative data were analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic approach. Ninety-eight percent of participants reported that they had previously heard of cervical cancer, however, only half (51%) reported to have heard of HPV as a cause of the disease. Less than 1% of the 160 participants had previously undergone a pap smear, and only 2% were vaccinated with at least one dose of HPV vaccination. Although knowledge was low, intention for acceptance of vaccination was moderate for women and high for their children. Although the majority of women had heard of cervical cancer, few women had in-depth knowledge of HPV and the etiology of invasive disease. This study draws attention to the urgent need of educational interventions on cervical cancer and its prevention to improve uptake of available HPV vaccination in Bangladesh.