Human Papillomavirus Information Research Articles

The Impact of Human Papillomavirus Information on Perceived Risk of Cervical Cancer

There is a need to develop public education about the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. Explaining that a sexually transmitted virus causes cervical cancer may affect perceived risk of cervical cancer. We hypothesized that presenting HPV information would have differential effects depending on age and screening attendance. Data were collected during face-to-face interviews with a sample of British women age 16 to 75 years who had not heard of HPV before (n = 965). A repeated measures design was used, assessing perceived risk of cervical cancer before and after providing information about HPV. Perceived risk was assessed using a comparative risk measure with a five-point response scale. Preinformation, the mean perceived risk score was 2.64 (SE, 0.03). Overall, presentation of HPV information did not have an effect on perceived risk of cervical cancer [chi(2)(1) = .72; P = 0.396], but as expected, there was a significant time by age interaction for the change in perceived risk [chi(2)(5) = 33.56; P < 0.001], which increased in the youngest age group (16-25 years) and decreased in the oldest age group (65-75 years). In a separate analysis with women in the screening age range (25-64 years; n = 709), there was a significant time by screening attendance interaction [chi(2)(1) = 5.25; P = 0.022], with an increase in perceived risk among women who did not regularly attend screening. This is the first study to examine the effect of HPV information on perceived risk across different population groups. Interventions to increase awareness of HPV could benefit from tailoring information to prescreening age, screening age, and postscreening age women.

HPV information needs, educational messages and channel of delivery preferences: views from developing country with multiethnic populations

This qualitative study used focus group discussions (FGDs) to evaluate information needed in order to make informed human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination decision, opinion on the most acceptable public education messages, and channel of delivery in a multiethnic, multicultural and multireligion country. A total of 19 FGDs were conducted among mothers of eligible vaccinees, young women eligible for the vaccine, and men. Messages that carry accurate information about HPV-cervical cancer link, the HPV preventive vaccines and at the same time minimize the stigma of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) vaccine were preferred. Educational messages for future HPV educational intervention were developed and methods to effectively convey to the public the need for HPV vaccination were identified. The findings serve as a basis for future intervention to develop research-based communication materials and strategies.

People seeking health information about human papillomavirus via the internet have a very high level of anxiety

A website with evidence-based information on human papillomavirus (HPV) has been developed at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. Visitors were asked to fill in a web-based form, including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), to obtain information on their profile. During the study period, 232 of 3638 (6.4%) visitors filled in the form. In our study, people looking for HPV information on the internet showed high anxiety levels. Three determinants contributed to the STAI score: a previous HPV-test, young age, and not feeling reassured by the website's content. It is warranted that physicians counsel their patients on HPV-related issues in the context of cervical cancer screening.

Sociodemographic predictors of HPV testing and vaccination acceptability: results from a population-representative sample of British women

ObjectivesTo examine sociodemographic predictors of self-reported screening attendance, intention to accept human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and willingness to accept vaccination for a daughter under 16.SettingHome-based, computer-assisted interviews with a population representative sample of British women.MethodsParticipants were selected using random probability sampling of the Postcode Address File, 994 women aged 25–64 were included in these analyses. Women reported their attendance at cervical screening and intention to accept an HPV test. A subsample of those with a daughter under 16 years (n = 296) reported their willingness to accept HPV vaccination for their daughter.ResultsScreening attendance was associated with education level (odds ratio [OR] = 1.66, confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.07–2.56) and being married (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.37–3.03). Acceptance of HPV testing was predicted by regular attendance for cervical screening (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.03–2.42) and being from a white background (OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.18–4.13). Daughter's age was the only predictor of HPV vaccine acceptance, with mothers whose youngest daughter was 13–16 years old being the most likely to accept vaccination (OR = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.27–6.65).ConclusionIn contrast to screening attendance, ethnicity plays an important role in HPV testing. Specific cultural barriers should be identified and addressed to ensure ethnic disparities in testing are limited. While marital status is associated with screening attendance, HPV testing could overcome this bias. Sociodemographic variables seem to play a limited role in HPV vaccine acceptance among mothers making vaccine decisions for their daughters, but as with other studies, age of daughter is important. The scientific reasons for vaccinating at 12–13 years should be emphasized in HPV information.

Do cervical cancer screening patient information leaflets meet the HPV information needs of women?

Objective New human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA technologies for the detection and prevention of cervical cancer have led to exciting changes in cervical cancer screening worldwide. Their introduction, however, has left many women with unanswered medical and psychosocial HPV questions. This study considered the degree to which women's own HPV questions were addressed in Australian cervical cancer screening patient information leaflets. Methods Based on previous qualitative research that asked women to identify their own HPV information needs, categories of interest were identified and a coding framework was developed. Manifest content analysis was conducted by counting the number of times a category of interest was stated in the text of the patient information leaflets ( n = 75). Latent content analysis methodology was employed to assess the underlying and embedded meaning within the leaflets. Results Women's medical questions were addressed more frequently than psychosocial ones. Leaflets were designed for specific target audiences (Aboriginal, lesbian, older women, women with disabilities, HPV-specific, cervical cancer-specific and general Pap screening) and the type and amount of HPV information varied by group. Merging the manifest and latent results, we identified three broad themes for discussion: the medicalisation of women's cervical screening experience, the purpose and target audience of cervical screening leaflets and HPV as a community versus women's health issue. Conclusions Women's questions on HPV were inconsistently and often inadequately answered. Practice implications In order that women's information needs are met, more accurate and balanced representations of medical and psychosocial HPV information should be provided in patient information leaflets.

Information and cervical screening: a qualitative study of women's awareness, understanding and information needs about HPV

To explore women's attitudes towards the information about human papilloma virus (HPV) provided during cervical screening and to describe women's HPV information needs. Women with a range of screening results (normal, inadequate, borderline and abnormal) were identified by three screening centres in England. Two consecutive samples of women attending for colposcopy for the first time following screening were also approached. Seven focus groups were conducted between May 2005 and April 2006 with 38 women who had recently been for cervical screening or had attended a colposcopy appointment. Most women had no prior awareness of HPV. Many women queried the importance of being informed about HPV as no preventive advice or treatment is available. The HPV information included in the UK national screening programme abnormal result leaflet left women with more questions than answers (a list of unanswered questions is included with the results). Further information was requested about HPV detection, infection and transmission as well as the natural history and progression of cervical cancer. No consensus was reached regarding the best time to provide HPV information. Clear communication of the complicated issues surrounding HPV infection and the natural history of cervical cancer is a considerable educational challenge for screening providers. As awareness of HPV becomes more widespread and HPV testing is explored as a triage during cervical screening, women are likely to require more information about the virus and the implications of infection. Consideration should be given to the production of a separate national screening programme HPV leaflet.

Factors That Are Associated With Parental Acceptance of Human Papillomavirus Vaccines: A Randomized Intervention Study of Written Information About HPV

Prophylactic vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) are expected to be available for public use by 2007 and likely will be targeted to preadolescent children. Parental acceptance of these vaccines will be critical for their success. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the overall acceptance of HPV vaccines for preadolescent children by parents, (2) to evaluate the influence of written educational information about HPV on parental acceptability of HPV vaccines, and (3) to identify independent predictors associated with HPV vaccine acceptability by parents. A randomized intervention study within a cross-sectional survey was conducted. Parental HPV vaccine acceptability was measured under 3 different hypothetical scenarios. A self-administered survey on the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about HPV and HPV vaccines was sent to 1600 parents of 8- to 12-year-old children. In addition to a baseline paragraph about HPV that was received by all study participants, a random half of the study participants received a detailed "HPV Information Sheet" outlining the epidemiology and potential clinical sequelae of HPV infection. Independent predictors of parental HPV vaccine acceptability were determined using multivariate linear regression models. Parents who received the HPV information sheet had higher mean scores on the HPV knowledge assessment tool than the control group. However, despite this apparent improvement in knowledge, there was not a statistically significant difference in HPV vaccine acceptability between the 2 groups. Providing parents with an HPV information sheet did seem to improve knowledge about HPV, but this increased knowledge had little effect on the acceptability of these vaccines by parents for their children. Instead, attitudes and life experiences seemed to be more important factors influencing HPV vaccine acceptability among parents.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Acceptability Among Parents of 10- to 15-Year-Old Adolescents

Parents or guardians of adolescents, boys and girls aged 10 to 15 years, were recruited from a variety of medical and community sites to participate in a study of acceptance for the administration of a vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) to teenagers. Participants were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire about attitudes toward vaccines, health beliefs, knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccinations, and sociodemographic information. They were also questioned about their opinions of vaccines and the vaccine status of their family and given an educational fact sheet on HPV and the HPV vaccine. Five hundred six participants completed the survey and were included in the analysis. Knowledge of HPV did not seem to be a predictor of vaccine acceptance. Initially, there were no significant differences in the demonstration of understanding about HPV and its consequences between parents who did and who did not want the vaccine for their child. Attitudes toward vaccines, in general, were the strongest predictors of the acceptance of an HPV vaccine. Parents who wanted the vaccine for their adolescents were significantly more likely to believe that vaccines are effective in preventing disease, to feel that it is important for their children to receive all of their vaccines, to have no fear of vaccines, and to believe that vaccines are helpful (range of P values, 0.01 to <0.001). Approximately 85% of those who did and those who did not want the vaccine for their child indicated concern about the side effects of vaccines. The most important influences on parental acceptance of the HPV vaccine were a doctor's recommendation and school requirements. Those who did not want the vaccines were much less influenced by doctors but more influenced by school requirements. Participants were asked to read an educational fact sheet about HPV and the HPV vaccine. Initially, 55% of parents indicated that they wanted the vaccine for their child, 23% did not, and 22% were undecided. After receiving the HPV information, 20% of those who initially did not want the vaccine and 65% of those who were undecided changed their minds and wanted the vaccine. After the intervention, 75% of parents wanted the vaccine, 25% did not, and 5% remained undecided (P <0.001 for change). After educational intervention, more parents who desired the vaccine, and those who were undecided believed the vaccine was safe (P <0.001), believed that the vaccine could prevent penile cancer (P <0.01), and did not believe the vaccine could cause HPV (P <0.001) than the parents who did not want the vaccine (compared with parents who were undecided (6%) or who wanted the vaccine for their child (8%). A greater percentage of parents who did not want the vaccine believed it would promote early sexual activity (23%) (P <0.03).

Report of the 2003 Pan-Canadian Forum on Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control: The recommendations reported herein reflect the decisions of the pan-Canadian forum participants as individual experts and do not necessarily reflect official policies of their respective organizations.

To develop evidence-based consensus recommendations on the delivery of cervical cancer screening, human papillomavirus (HPV) education, HPV testing, and the optimal tool for cervical cytology within the Canadian health system. Leading up to a forum held in Ottawa on November 21 and 22, 2003, 254 registrants reviewed position papers through a Web-based discussion group. Experts in program management, clinical practice, epidemiology, public health, economics, and women's health, representing 48 organizations, then participated in the 2-day forum to develop consensus recommendations. Writing groups prepared position papers on optimal methods for cervical cytology; education concerning HPV; HPV testing in primary screening; HPV testing as a triage tool in cytopathology; and delivery mechanisms for cervical screening. Systematic reviews were the primary source of evidence supplemented by literature searches. Feedback from Web-based discussions was incorporated into consecutive drafts of position papers. At the forum, recommendations and supporting evidence were presented, further debated in small-group sessions, and discussed in a plenary session. Despite divergent professional mandates and opinions, consensus was achieved on 15 recommendations across all areas. Final recommendations were posted to the Web for further input and circulated for written consensus by participants. The recommendations cover the use of new evidence and technologies in cervical cancer prevention in Canada and provide a framework for provision of HPV education, planning the implementation of new cervical screening technologies in Canada, the development of evaluation plans, and new research areas.