Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Awareness Research Articles

Awareness of HPV vaccine and its socio-demographic determinants among the parents of eligible daughters in Bangladesh: A nationwide study

BackgroundVaccination against Human papillomavirus (HPV) is recommended to avoid HPV infections and its associated diseases, including cervical cancer. However, there is no awareness study among Bangladeshi population. Hence, this nationwide study was conducted to explore HPV vaccine awareness and its determinants among parents of eligible adolescent girls. MethodsThis study was conducted among the parents of daughters aged 9–15 years from 42 out of 64 randomly selected districts of Bangladesh between June 28 to August 2, 2023. A multistage sampling method was used to enroll 2151 study participants from all eight divisions of Bangladesh. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for face-to-face interviews in this study. The statistical software Stata (Version 17) was used for statistical analyses. ResultsThe average age of the participants was 38.18 (±5.86) years. Only 22.32 % of the participants were aware of the HPV vaccine. Every additional year of age increased the likelihood of being aware of the HPV vaccine by 3 % (AOR: 1.03; 95%CI: 1.00–1.06). Participants residing in the urban area had 3.56 times higher odds of awareness than rural and semi-urban people. Businessmen and housewives had 60 % (AOR: 0.40; 95 % CI: 0.22–0.69) and 77 % (AOR: 0.23; 95 % CI: 0.16–0.33) lower odds in comparison to job holders. The lower-income group exhibited significantly higher odds of awareness (AOR: 0.25, 95%CI: 0.16–0.39) compared to the middle and the higher-income group. Participants who never went through routine health check-ups had 77 % lower odds of being aware than those who availed of regular routine check-ups (AOR: 0.23; 95%CI: 0.16–0.34). ConclusionAwareness of the HPV vaccine among the general population of Bangladesh is very low. Age, residence, occupation, monthly income, and routine medical check-ups were associated with HPV vaccine awareness. A nationwide awareness campaign would increase this awareness level among the Bangladeshi population, especially among the parents of daughters.

Assessing the Knowledge of HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, HPV Vaccination, and Practice Scope among Saudi Dental Students in the Western Region.

(1) Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is significantly associated with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-OPSCC), which is one of the fastest-growing cancer incidences globally. Dental practitioners play a crucial role in the primary and secondary prevention of HPV-OPSCC. There is little known about dental students' awareness regarding HPV-OPSCC and HPV vaccination, as well as their intention to promote 'primordial prevention' among their patients. HPV vaccine, and the extent of their professional responsibilities. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the western region of Saudi Arabia and involved undergraduate dental students (n = 688) from six public and private dental schools. Participants were requested to complete a sequential-section anonymous online survey, with 257 successfully completing all sections of the questionnaire. The association between participant characteristics and HPV-OPSCC, HPV vaccination awareness ratings, and perceived engagement in prevention were analyzed using ANOVA and chi-squared testing. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the variables linked to these outcomes. (3) Results: Generally, the overall level of awareness of HPV-OPSCC and HPV vaccination was acceptable, with an average score of 53.44 ± 29.3 out of 100. However, a significant knowledge gap was observed, with 53% of respondents being unaware of the common sites for HPV-OPSCC and 63.8% being uninformed of the appropriate age for HPV vaccination. Females and those with a prior history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) had considerably higher levels of HPV vaccination knowledge (p < 0.05). The participants showed a favorable attitude towards their responsibility of informing patients about HPV-OPSCC and advocating HPV immunization. (4) Conclusions: This study underscores the need to enhance dental students' understanding of HPV-OPSCC and HPV immunization, enabling them to effectively engage in primary and secondary preventative efforts against HPV-OPSCC.

A Cross-sectional Sectional Study to Assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Cervical Cancer, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Infection and HPV Vaccine among 9th to 12th Grade School Girls in Indore

Background: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is most common viral infection among women between 15 to 44 age group. When administered before girls or women are exposed to the virus, HPV vaccine can prevent majority of cervical cancer occurrences. Therefore to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding cervical cancer,HPV infection and HPV vaccine among girls in grades 9 to 12 the current study was conducted.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted between July-December 2022 in Indore governmentschools. Total 120 girls in grades 9 to 12 after receiving informed consent involved in the study. Data regarding knowledge, attitude and practice about cervical cancer, HPV infection and HPV vaccination collected using pretested semi-structured questionnaire. SPSS version 25.0 (Trial version) was used for data analysis.Conclusion: Among 120 students (34.16%) and (20.83%) had heard about cervical cancer and HPV vaccinerespectively, where majority were from class 11th and 12th. The association was significant between knowledge of students and their grades (p&lt;0.05). (3.33%) received HPV vaccine. Among unvaccinated, (68.96%) were willing to take vaccine. Hence the study found that knowledge and uptake of HPV vaccination among school girls is poor. The government needs to strengthen the various aspects of HPV education supplied in schools and HPV vaccination awareness campaigns.

Knowledge and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus Infection and Vaccination in Thai Male Youth, Including Men Who Have Sex With Men

OBJECTIVE There is currently a lack of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination policy and education for male youth in Thailand. This study aimed to evaluate Thai male youth’s knowledge and awareness of HPV infection and vaccination, determine their HPV vaccination rate, and factors related to the vaccination rate and the level of awareness of HPV. METHODS A questionnaire survey on HPV vaccination was distributed to educational institutions across different regions of Thailand. Inclusion criteria included Thai male youth aged between 15 and 24 years, regardless of sexual orientation. Exclusion criteria were inability to access the internet, individuals whose responses were unintelligible, and those who did not complete the questionnaire. The trends of the association between participant characteristics and their HPV knowledge/awareness scores was analyzed using linear regression. RESULTS A total of 594 individuals responded to the questionnaire. The median score for knowledge was 11 out of 18 and the awareness level was 80%. Higher education level, higher family income, bisexuality, and prior receipt of HPV information were statistically significantly linked to higher HPV knowledge scores. However, only previous receipt of HPV information was associated with an increased awareness level. CONCLUSIONS Although the level of HPV knowledge and awareness among Thai males was acceptable, less than 50% of participants expressed an intention to get vaccinated. This indicates there is a need to improve the promotion of the HPV vaccine in order to achieve herd immunity.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination among Secondary School Students in Selangor, Malaysia

Cervical cancer is a significant cause of female mortality in Malaysia, primarily linked to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection. To address this, the Malaysian government launched a HPV vaccination program targeting secondary school students. This study aimed to investigate the level of knowledge and attitude toward HPV vaccination and its association with demographics as a determinant among Malaysian secondary school students. A survey study using random sampling was conducted for 182 secondary school students in Selangor between the aged 13-17 years old. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, knowledge, and attitudes toward HPV vaccination. The students demonstrated moderate knowledge (M=3.75, SD=.85) and generally positive attitudes (M=3.48, SD=3.57) towards HPV vaccination. Gender (χ2=6.39, p=.011), ethnicity (χ2=6.57, p=.037), religion (χ2=15.51, p=.004), and age (χ2=12.61, p=.013) were statistically significant factors affecting knowledge. Gender (χ2=8.44, p=.004) and family income (χ2=11.63, p=.040) significantly influenced attitudes. The Malaysian national HPV immunisation program has been effective, but improvements are needed. These include adopting a gender-neutral approach, educating parents to foster positive attitudes, and promoting acceptance of HPV vaccination. Strategies like introducing sexual education and collaboration with the Ministry of Health School Health Unit (UKS) are vital for enhancing public awareness and understanding of HPV vaccination.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Awareness and Acceptability for Primary Prevention of Cervical Cancer in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is the most effective option for primary prevention HPV, a well-known cause of cervical cancer. The objective of the study was to assess awareness of HPV, the acceptability of its vaccine and factors associated with the acceptability among the adult population in Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adult population of Pakistan from January 2022 and March 2022. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, instead of face-to-face interviews, a self-administered questionnaire was developed and distributed through Google Forms. The questionnaire was available in both English and Urdu languages to cater to a diverse population. Overall, 313 (65.2 %) study participants had heard about HPV infection, while 297 (61.9%) knew HPV as the cause of genital warts and 256 (53.3 %) knew that HPV can cause any type of cancer, with a higher percentage of awareness among those who were in any health care setting compared to those who were in a non-healthcare setting. Regarding the acceptability to get HPV vaccine, 320 (66.7%) of the study participants were willing to get vaccinated, while only 15(3.1%) of the study population had previously received HPV vaccine. The most important factors associated with HPV vaccine acceptability were younger age of 18-25 years (Prevalence Ratio (PR) =1.60, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) =1.11, 2.32), and 26-35 years (PR= 1.65, 95% CI=1.09, 2.50). HPV vaccine acceptability was also associated with working in a healthcare setting due to better awareness of HPV vaccine (PR= 1.29, 95% CI=1.03, 1.62). It is important to address the knowledge gaps existing in the community about HPV vaccine acceptability and barriers against it for the successful rollout of the HPV vaccination program in Pakistan. Mass awareness campaigns about HPV, HPV vaccine, and cervical cancer are needed to increase the acceptability of HPV vaccine among public at the time of reintroducing HPV vaccine.

Knowledge and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Oral Cancer Prevention among Dental Practitioners, Students, and Patients at UiTM Faculty of Dentistry, Malaysia

Introduction: HPV (Human papillomavirus) infection is associated with an increased risk of various types of cancer, including cervical and oropharyngeal cancers. HPV vaccines are effective in preventing HPV infection and its associated diseases. This project aims to evaluate the knowledge between UITM’s dental practitioners, students, and patients regarding HPV vaccination for oral cancer prevention. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire-oriented approach. Respondents were enrolled through convenience sampling. The questionnaire consisted of different sections covering topics related to HPV, its associated cancers, HPV vaccination, and oral cancer. Results: The study included a total of 199 respondents, comprising 14 dental practitioners (DP), 86 dental students (DS), and 99 patients. Majority of DP (85.7%) and DS (89.5%) were aware of HPV, compared to only 26.3% of patients. Moreover, only 14.3% (DP), 26.7% (DS), and 14.1% (patients) knew that smoking can increase the risk of HPV infection. Additionally, only 23.2% of patients were aware that men can also be infected by HPV. Majority of respondents (n=183) recognized that HPV is one of the viruses that can cause oral cancer. However, 49.5% of patients were not aware that oral cancer can be prevented with HPV vaccination. Conclusions: The study reveals poor knowledge of HPV and oral cancer among patients. There is a need to implement regular awareness campaigns regarding HPV vaccines and oral cancer prevention, within the UiTM Dental faculty.

Screening for High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Reveals HPV52 and HPV58 among Pediatric and Adult Patient Saliva Samples.

Previous research has demonstrated that the human papillomavirus (HPV) can infect a wide range of human tissues, including those within the oral cavity. High-risk oral HPV strains have been associated with the development and progression of oral cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinomas. Although many studies have examined the prevalence of the high-risk strains HPV16 and HPV18, far fewer have assessed the prevalence of other high-risk HPV strains. An approved study protocol was used to identify HPV52 and HPV58 among clinical samples (n = 87) from a saliva biorepository. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and validated primers for HPV52 and HPV58 were used to facilitate this screening. This screening demonstrated that a total of n = 4/45 or 8.9% of adult saliva samples harbored high-risk HPV52, and n = 2/45 or 4.4% tested positive for high-risk HPV58. In addition, a total of n = 6/42 or 14.3% of the pediatric saliva samples tested positive for high-risk HPV, including n = 5/42 or 11.9% with HPV52 and n = 3/42 or 7.1% for HPV58. These data demonstrate the presence of the high-risk oncogenic HPV52 and HPV58 strains among both adult and pediatric clinical patient samples. More detailed longitudinal research must be conducted to determine whether this prevalence may be increasing or decreasing over time. In addition, these data strongly support public health prevention efforts, such as knowledge and awareness of the nine-valent HPV vaccine covering additional high-risk strains, including HPV52 and HPV58.

Development of a Study Tool to Measure Awareness of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Among Cancer Patients and Their Intention to Recommend the Vaccine

Development of a Study Tool to Measure Awareness of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Among Cancer Patients and Their Intention to Recommend the Vaccine

Correlation Between Knowledge and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Among Adolescent Girls in Junior High School

&lt;p&gt;Cervical cancer is significantly increased by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV vaccine can be administered as a primary preventive to stop cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can be prevented most effectively with vaccination. The decision to acquire the HPV vaccine is influenced by factors related to knowledge and awareness of the disease. This study aims to ascertain how adolescent girls’ knowledge and awareness of the HPV vaccine relate to one another. In this study, a cross-sectional approach was utilized. One hundred twenty-eight respondents were selected using a cluster random sampling. This study employed the Knowledge regarding HPV, Cervical Cancer, and HPV Vaccine Questionnaire and Awareness about Cervical Cancer, HPV, and HPV Vaccines Questionnaire, all declared valid and reliable. The Spearman Rank test was performed to analyze the data. According to the results, there was a relationship between knowledge and awareness of the HPV vaccine in adolescent girls (r= 0.554; p-value=0.000). Therefore, teenage girls’ knowledge and awareness of the HPV vaccine were related. It is suggested that health professionals, particularly those working with young girls, should provide easy-to-understand information about the HPV vaccine and cervical cancer.&lt;/p&gt;

Study on the Awareness and Willingness of HPV Vaccination Among Women Aged 15 to 45 Based on an Online Survey in Xi’an

Objective: This study investigates the awareness and willingness of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and its determinants among women aged 15 to 45 years in Xi’an, Shaanxi province. Methods In August 2023, 112 female residents in Xi’an were selected using a convenient sampling method to research their awareness of HPV, health conditions, and vaccination willingness through self-administered network questionnaires. Results: 82.14% of the respondents expressed their willingness to be vaccinated against HPV, 17.86% were reluctant to get HPV vaccination, and 83.1% agreed to include the HPV vaccine in medical insurance. Among those willing to vaccinate, 44 women aged between 15 and 24 account for 39.3%. The age group with the highest awareness score is 25 to 34 years old, with 12.63 as the average awareness score. According to the correlation analysis, awareness of the HPV vaccine was correlated with education (r=0.312, P&lt;0.001). Besides, the vaccination willingness was intertwined with the awareness of the vaccine (r=0.218, P=0.021) and the attitude towards vaccine policy (r=0.392, P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Women in Xi’an have a high willingness to HPV vaccination, which is related to their awareness of the HPV virus and vaccine-related knowledge as well as policy recognition. It is suggested that the publicity and education of the HPV vaccine should be strengthened in the future, and a reasonable cost-sharing mechanism should be established to improve the overall coverage rate of the HPV vaccine.

Abstract C140: A population-based analysis of awareness and knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine among Asian American adults by origin group, 2014-2019

Abstract Background: Awareness and knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine are critical antecedents of HPV vaccine uptake. While emerging literature has examined racial and ethnic differences in these areas, most either exclude Asian Americans, subsume them under the category of “other,” or aggregate all origin groups under a single category of “Asians.” To fill this gap in the literature regarding data disaggregation, we conducted an analysis of awareness and knowledge of HPV, the HPV vaccine, and HPV-related cancers among six Asian origin groups (Chinese, Filipinos, Indians, Japanese, Koreans, and Vietnamese), using nationally representative samples. Methods: We performed a pooled cross-sectional study utilizing the Health Information National Trend Survey data (HINTS-4 cycle 4 [2014], HINTS-5 cycles 1-3 [2017-2019]), a nationally representative survey administered by the National Cancer Institute. We analyzed questions about knowledge of HPV, the HPV vaccine, and the facts that HPV causes cervical, oral, anal, and penile cancers by race and/or ethnicity. The sample included those who self-reported as Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese origins; non-Hispanic White (NHW) respondents were the reference group. We used survey-design adjusted Wald chi-square tests. Results: A total of 8,865 non-Hispanic White respondents and 623 Asian respondents were included in this study. Significantly lower proportions of most Asian origin groups (Chinese 45.5%; Indian 45.6%; Korean 39.7%; and Vietnamese 43.5%) had heard of HPV compared with NHW counterparts (69.4%). Significantly lower proportions of Chinese (50.9%), Filipino (47.0%) Korean (46.1%), and Vietnamese (38.8%) respondents had heard of the HPV vaccine compared with NHW respondents (68.1%). Significantly lower proportions of Chinese (41.0%), Indian (36.2%), Korean (32.9%), and Vietnamese (30.6%) respondents knew that HPV causes cervical cancer compared with NHW (55.7%). Significantly lower proportions of Chinese and Vietnamese respondents knew that HPV causes anal and oral cancers, and significantly lower proportions of Indian respondents knew that HPV causes penile cancer, when compared to NHW counterparts. Discussion: Most Asian origin groups had lower knowledge of HPV-related facts, with varying magnitudes, compared with NHW counterparts. Vietnamese and Chinese respondents had significantly lower knowledge compared with NHW respondents for 5 out of 6 questions. For most questions, Vietnamese was the group with the lowest proportions of respondents reporting knowledge. Heterogeneity in HPV-related knowledge suggests the need to culturally tailor interventions about the HPV vaccine in appropriate languages to effectively reach different Asian origin groups, with particular attention to those with low awareness. Continued monitoring of HPV-related knowledge with disaggregated data collection for Asian origin groups is critical for efforts to increase educational outreach, combat vaccine misinformation, and improve HPV vaccine uptake. Citation Format: Milkie Vu, Yenan Zhu, Duy D. Trinh, Young-Rock Hong, Ryan Suk. A population-based analysis of awareness and knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine among Asian American adults by origin group, 2014-2019 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C140.

Abstract C101: Development of an educational text messaging program to improve human papillomavirus awareness, knowledge, and vaccination intention among Korean young adults in the U.S.

Abstract Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. Cervical cancer (CC) is the most common HPV-associated cancer, and Korean Americans (KAs) experience one of the highest CC incidence and mortality rates among Asian Americans. Awareness and knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine are essential in preventing HPV-associated cancers; however, studies emphasize low HPV awareness and knowledge among KAs. Although HPV causes cancers in both men and women, there exist misconceptions that the HPV vaccine is only for women and not for men. Furthermore, research on HPV vaccination among KAs has been conducted mostly among women. The health belief model (HBM) is a value-expectancy theory that is used to explain and predict individual changes in health behaviors and has been used in multiple studies that aimed to understand HPV vaccination behavior. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop an HBM guided text messaging program to increase HPV awareness, knowledge, and HPV vaccination among Korean young adults in the U.S. Methods: A total of 10 Korean young adults between the ages of 18 and 26 completed the mixed methods study. The survey examined HPV, HPV vaccine, and cervical cancer awareness and knowledge, beliefs, and vaccination intention. The qualitative interview with cognitive response testing (CRT) of the text messages, which were preconstructed based on previous literature and six constructs of HBM, allowed participants to provide feedback on the comprehension and emotional response to the messages, and any other recommendations to improve the content and delivery of the messages. Results: All participants (N=10) indicated to have never received the HPV vaccine and most participants had no intention to receive the HPV vaccine within one year. Although most of the participants were aware of HPV and HPV vaccine, overall knowledge of HPV, HPV vaccine, and cervical cancer were low. The interviews revealed that reasons for vaccine hesitancy and non-vaccination included cost, inconvenience, and low perceived susceptibility. Especially, there was low perception of the importance of HPV vaccination for males. Overall, findings from the CRT showed that there was a clear understanding of the preconstructed text messages. There was a consensus on the duration and timing of the messages and participants provided recommendations on the content, tone, and structure of the messages. Using the HBM, participants’ feedback on HPV awareness, knowledge, and vaccination intention, the text messaging library was revised and includes a total of 9 text messages over the four days. Conclusions: This study provides important insights into the development of an educational text messaging program among Korean young adults in the U.S. Current study will build a foundation for an educational mobile health program to help increase awareness and knowledge of HPV and HPV-associated cancers, as well as HPV vaccination intention, and impact HPV-associated cancer rates among KAs through vaccination in the long term. Citation Format: Min Jeong Jeon, Daisy Le. Development of an educational text messaging program to improve human papillomavirus awareness, knowledge, and vaccination intention among Korean young adults in the U.S. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C101.

Human Papillomavirus Awareness by Educational Level and by Race and Ethnicity

ImportanceUnderstanding disparities in human papillomavirus (HPV) awareness is crucial, given its association with vaccine uptake.ObjectiveTo investigate differences in HPV awareness by educational attainment, race, ethnicity, and their intersectionality.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study used the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5 cycles 1 to 4 data (January 26, 2017, to June 15, 2020). The data were analyzed from December 12, 2022, to June 20, 2023. A sample of the noninstitutionalized civilian US population 18 years or older was included in the analysis.Main Outcomes and MeasuresWeighted prevalence of HPV awareness, HPV vaccine awareness, and knowledge that HPV causes cancer, stratified by educational attainment and by race and ethnicity. Interaction between educational attainment and race and ethnicity was assessed using a Wald test.ResultsA total of 15 637 participants had educational attainment data available; of these, 51.2% were women, and the median age was 58 (IQR, 44-69) years. A total of 14 444 participants had race and ethnicity information available; of these, 4.6% were Asian, 13.9% were Black, 15.3% were Hispanic, 62.6% were White, and 3.6% were of other race or ethnicity (including American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and more than 1 race or ethnicity). Awareness of HPV by educational attainment ranged from 40.4% for less than high school to 78.2% for college or higher; awareness by race and ethnicity ranged from 46.9% among Asian individuals to 70.2% among White individuals. Awareness of HPV vaccines across educational attainment ranged from 34.7% among those with less than high school to 74.7% among those with a college degree or higher and by race and ethnicity from 48.4% among Asian individuals to 68.2% among White individuals. Among adults who were aware of HPV, knowledge that HPV causes cervical cancer differed by educational attainment, ranging from 51.7% among those with less than high school to 84.7% among those with a college degree or higher, and by race and ethnicity, ranging from 66.0% among Black individuals to 77.9% among Asian individuals. The interaction between educational attainment and race and ethnicity on HPV awareness and HPV vaccine awareness was not significant; however, within each educational attainment level, awareness differed by race and ethnicity, with the lowest awareness consistently among Asian individuals regardless of educational attainment. Within each racial and ethnic group, HPV awareness and HPV vaccine awareness significantly decreased with decreasing educational attainment.Conclusions and RelevanceDisparities in HPV awareness were evident across social factors, with the lowest awareness among Asian individuals and individuals with lower educational attainment. These results emphasize the importance of considering social factors in HPV awareness campaigns to increase HPV vaccination.

A qualitative study of ethnic Korean women and men's experiences of HPV and HPV vaccination in the United States

ABSTRACT Introduction Approximately 42.5% of adults aged 18–59 in the United States is estimated to be affected by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, Asian Americans have the lowest HPV vaccination initiation rate compared to other racial groups. This study aims to explore the experiences of HPV and the HPV vaccination among ethnic Korean women and men in the United States. Methods A total of 33 ethnic Korean and Korean Americans aged 27–45 years living in the U.S. were recruited via word-of-mouth and social media using a purposive sampling strategy. They participated in an online survey. Of the 33 participants, 29 (14 females and 15 males) participated in in-depth interviews via password-protected Zoom. A content analysis approach was used to analyze the interviews. Results Only 32% of participants had received the HPV vaccine at least once (female: 35.3%, male: 12.5%). Six major themes emerged from data analysis: (1) awareness of HPV, HPV vaccine, and HPV-associated cancers; (2) attitudes toward the HPV vaccine; (3) barriers to HPV vaccination; (4) women's experiences and preferences for pap smear testing; (5) experiences with HPV diagnosis; and (6) HPV and HPV vaccination education preferences. Conclusion The findings highlight cultural factors that may impede the discussion about and uptake of HPV vaccination and HPV-associated cancer screening, which emphasize the need for culturally appropriate interventions to overcome stigma around HPV and enhance vaccination rates. Healthcare providers should consider ethnic and cross-cultural differences perceptions to effectively HPV-related health information. This study provides insight into the experiences and understanding of HPV and vaccination among ethnic Korean men and women, laying the groundwork for developing culturally-tailored programs that sim to increase HPV vaccination rates and mitigate the stigma and impact of HPV-related disease in this community.

Implementing the free HPV vaccination for adolescent girls aged below 14 in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province of China: experience, challenges, and lessons

Cervical cancer is a major public health concern in China, accounting for almost one-fifth of the global incidence and mortality. The recently prequalified domestic bivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine offers a practical and feasible preventive measure. In response to the global call for action, the National Health Commission issued an Action Plan to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, with promotion of the HPV vaccination for school-aged girls as a critical step. Despite this, implementation of the vaccination has been patchy, with very low coverage among eligible girls. To address this, from December 2021 to December 2022, a demonstration project was launched in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, to promote the inclusion of HPV vaccine in local immunisation programme and to address existing barriers to implementation. Using multiple sources of data, this article presents a case study of the demonstration project, analysing its impact on rolling out HPV vaccination among eligible girls and identifying any challenges encountered during implementation. The demonstration project has shown promising results in increasing the HPV vaccination rate, promoting public awareness and acceptance of the domestic HPV vaccine, and establishing a model for quickly scaling up the vaccination at the municipal level. The success of the project can be attributed to several factors, including strong governmental commitment, sufficient funding, multi-sectoral collaboration, ensured vaccine accessibility and affordability, improved vaccination services, and effective health education and communication strategies. Lessons learned from Shenzhen can provide valuable insights for future advocacy and implementation of the vaccination in other areas of China, but challenges must be addressed to achieve universal coverage. These include addressing vaccine hesitancy, expanding the programme to cover a broader age range, and ensuring consistent quality of vaccination services in primary care facilities. Overcoming these challenges will require innovative strategies, public-private partnerships, and sustained funding and resources. Future research should focus on evaluating the long-term effectiveness of the vaccination programme and identifying contextual factors that may impact its implementation in different settings. Overall, the effective control of cervical cancer in China will rely on the “political will” to ensure the incorporation of preventive interventions into policies and universal programme coverage.

Age, gender and socioeconomic disparities in human papillomavirus (HPV) awareness and knowledge among Japanese adults after a 7-year suspension of proactive recommendation for the HPV vaccine: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey

The Japanese government’s 2013 suspension of its proactive recommendation for Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination resulted in low HPV vaccination coverage and was unique. However, data on awareness and knowledge of HPV vaccines in the general population was limited. Here, to investigate more recent awareness and knowledge of HPV vaccines by age, gender, and socioeconomic status, we used data from the INFORM Study 2020, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of self-administered questionnaires with 1,998 Japanese individuals aged 20 to 59 years. We found that 47.5% of females and 21.0% of males had heard of HPV, and 33.6% of females and 16.8% of males had knowledge of HPV vaccine efficacy. After adjusting for potential confounders, females aged 50–54 years were more likely to be aware of HPV than females aged 20–24 (AOR, 2.02, 95%CI: 1.12–3.65). Females (AOR, 2.13, 95%CI: 1.48–3.07) and males (AOR, 1.64, 95%CI: 1.03–2.59) with higher education had more awareness than those with less education. Females with higher education had more knowledge about HPV vaccine efficacy than those with less education (AOR, 1.70; 95%CI: 1.16–2.50). We found a generally low level of awareness and knowledge about HPV vaccines in Japan, which might be attributable to the suspension of proactive recommendations. Additionally, we identified disparities in awareness and knowledge by age, gender, socioeconomic status, and health literacy. Enhancing HPV awareness and understanding of HPV vaccines and implementing targeted efforts for specific subpopulations within Japan after the resumption of proactive recommendation for HPV vaccines, are imperative.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions Towards Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Among Adult Women in Primary Health Care Centers in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is linked to cervical cancer, which is prevalent in Saudi Arabia. While HPV vaccines are effective, their coverage remains low in low- and middle-income countries. Public awareness of HPV vaccination is also limited. The study examines public awareness of cervical cancer, HPV, the HPV vaccine, and factors that hinder vaccine uptake. To assess the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards HPV vaccination among women aged 16 years and above in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted using an interview questionnaire. A stratified sampling technique was used to select a representative sample of 534 female patients aged 16 years and older who visited primary healthcare centers in Makkah. The interview questionnaire included questions related to sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge about HPV vaccination, attitudes and perceptions toward HPV vaccination, and sources of information about HPV infection and vaccines. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The majority of participants were aged between 21 and 40 years (76.4%), Saudi (90.3%), and had a higher education level (73.4%). Only a small proportion (1.9%-39%) of participants correctly answered most of the questions related to HPV vaccination, while a few questions were answered correctly by a larger proportion (41.6%-59.6%), highlighting the need for educational programs to increase awareness about the HPV vaccine. The internet and social media were the most prevalent sources of information about HPV infection and vaccines (48.4%). A majority of participants expressed willingness to receive the HPV vaccine if offered by the healthcare sector at no cost (65.5%). Concerns included fear of injection (27.7%), cost (23.2%), and potential refusal from family or community (9.7%). A significant proportion believed that there is a need for educational sessions to increase awareness about the HPV vaccine in their community (82.8%) and that increased knowledge about HPV vaccines would lead to greater acceptability (83.9%). Age, nationality, marital status, number of children, educational status, occupation, and average monthly income were significantly associated with knowledge about HPV vaccination (p < 0.05). Age and educational status were significantly associated with attitudes towards HPV vaccination (p < 0.05). The lack of knowledge about HPV vaccination among adult women in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, is concerning, as it may result in low vaccine uptake rates and an increased incidence of HPV-related diseases. Therefore, targeted educational programs and awareness campaigns are crucial to enhance knowledge and promote the uptake of the HPV vaccine. These programs should be designed to provide accurate information about the prevalence of HPV, its associated risks, and the benefits of vaccination.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV Vaccine Awareness among Korean American Immigrants in Alabama: Would Internet Use Improve Health Awareness?

Although the HPV vaccine is known to prevent associated cancers, studies found a low awareness among Korean Americans (KA). This study aimed to examine the HPV and HPV vaccine awareness among KA in Alabama. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 278 KA residing in Alabama to understand the levels of HPV and HPV vaccine awareness and associated factors. Those who heard of HPV were 31.7% and 29.5% for HPV vaccine. Those who were older than 50 years old and married were less likely to hear of HPV and HPV vaccine. Those who were female and had annual health check-ups were more likely to hear of both. Using the Internet for health information was positively associated with HPV vaccine awareness. HPV education tailored to sociodemographic and using the Internet might be an effective strategy in improving the HPV and HPV vaccine awareness levels.

Examining barriers and facilitators of HPV vaccination in Nigeria, in the context of an innovative delivery model: a mixed-methods study

BackgroundMore than 80% of cervical cancer cases diagnosed globally are in low-income and middle-income countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, where treatment facilities are widely unavailable, it is a leading cause of...