Perceptions Of Human Papillomavirus Research Articles

Knowledge, attitude, and hesitancy towards human papillomavirus vaccine among parents attending primary health care centers in Al-Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia

Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and hesitancy towards the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among parents attending Primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Saudi Arabia, Al-Ahsa region. Methods: An analytic and descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted including 383 parents who attended PHCCs in the Ministry of Health and National Guard Hospitals in the Al-Ahsa region. Results: A total of 460 parents from PHCCs in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, participated in this study. The majority were females (72.8%), and the highest age group was 36-45 years (48.5%). Knowledge about HPV was low, where 65.7% had no prior knowledge. Perceptions of HPV's danger varied, with 55.7% being uncertain. Awareness of the HPV vaccine was limited (56.7% lacked information). Willingness to vaccinate children was mixed, where 37.4% were willing, 33.3% were unwilling, and 29.3% were undecided. Significant associations were found between higher income and better knowledge (p-value=

Perception about human papillomavirus vaccination among middle adolescent school girls in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2023: qualitative study

BackgroundHuman papillomavirus vaccine uptake among school girls in Ethiopia was still low and uptake was majorly related to perception regarding the vaccine. This study explored school girls’ perceptions of Human papillomavirus vaccination in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ObjectivesThe main aim of this study was to explore the perception of secondary school girls towards Human Papilloma Virus vaccine in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2023.MethodsA qualitative research using focused group discussions were used to explore middle adolescent school girls’ perceptions of Human papillomavirus in Addis Ababa Ethiopia from March 2023-April 2023. A focus group discussion guide was employed with potential probes to achieve study objectives. A convenience sampling technique was performed to select study participants. The collected data were transcribed and translated into English and thematic analysis was done by using Atlas-Ti software version 7.5.16.ResultTwo dominant themes emerged from the study; perceived benefits and potential barriers to Human papillomavirus vaccine uptake. Poor awareness, lack of family support, perception of poor vaccine quality, fear of side effects, misconceptions, and myths are potential barriers to the Human papillomavirus vaccine. Some students perceive the vaccine as important in the prevention of cervical cancer, others are not sure about the importance of the vaccine and many students think that the vaccine can cause infertility and other beliefs it can cause diseases.ConclusionThe perceived benefits of the Human papillomavirus vaccine was; it prevents cervical cancer enhance acceptability and can be an important motivation for Human papillomavirus vaccination among students. The main barriers to vaccine uptake and acceptance were; lack of awareness, misconceptions, and myths, lack of credible information sources of vaccines, perception of poor vaccine quality, Poor family support, and cultural and religious perspectives. We recommend the development of strong collaborations that work on identified challenges.

How can we improve the acceptability of vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in France? An original qualitative study with focus groups comprising parents and school staff, interviewed separately

BackgroundIt has been proven that vaccination is effective against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections, genital warts, and pre-cancerous and cancerous cervical lesions. Nevertheless, the HPV vaccine coverage of 37.4 % in 2021 in France is one of the lowest in Europe. To explore and understand the reason why French population is so late compared to its neighbours, we carried out focus groups with mothers and with National Education school staff. We aimed to identify knowledge and perceptions of HPV in both study populations, as well as factors influencing HPV vaccination. MethodsBetween January 2020 and March 2021, we performed a qualitative study using an inductive approach with a thematic content analysis (TCA). We conducted semi-structured focus groups with 29 people including 15 mothers of adolescents in middle schools and 14 school staff from the national education system. ResultsDifferent factors influenced the decision-making process of parents and school staff: knowledge and perceptions of HPV and its vaccine, sources of information about HPV and vaccination. Mothers' discourses differed from those of school staff. They mentioned the importance of gynaecological monitoring and the negative image of pharmaceutical companies, and questioned internet as a reliable source of information. For their part, school staff mentioned cultural and/or religious affiliation, municipalities’ role to inform the population, and ethical dilemma or logistical challenges regarding HPV vaccination in schools. ConclusionThe results of these focus groups provided information on which elements may harm or help HPV vaccination. Identified perceptions, beliefs, knowledge, barriers, and facilitators will help us to build an intervention program focus on general practitioners (GP), school staff, parents, and adolescents.

Human Papillomavirus associated prevention: knowledge, attitudes, and perceived risks among men who have sex with men and transgender women in Pakistan: a qualitative study

ObjectivesMen who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender individuals are at higher risk of genital warts and anal cancer due to sexually transmitted human papillomavirus infection. This study explores MSM and transgender women’s perceptions of Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV prevention strategies (screening and vaccination) in Pakistan.DesignA qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGD) with self-identified MSM, male sex workers and transgender women were conducted between March 2019 to August 2019 in Karachi, Pakistan.MethodsParticipants were recruited from community-based organization (CBO) working for MSM and transgender women. A total of 38 men and 10 transgender women took part in 6 FGDs. Discussions were recorded, translated, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis.ResultsThree themes were identified from the emerging analysis. These are, 1) Knowledge and risk perceptions about STIs and HPV, 2) Beliefs and attitudes towards HPV prevention, 3) Participant’s recommendations for HPV vaccination and anal Pap screening. Participants described lack of knowledge of HPV and its health consequences as HIV is the only focus of attention of the government and the local CBOs. None of participants had heard about HPV prevention including vaccination and anal Pap screening for men but expressed a positive attitude towards prevention. Genital warts and anal cancer were perceived as severe potential consequences of a known risk behaviors. All participants stated they would be interested in taking an HPV vaccine but acknowledged that the provision of services for sexually transmitted infections (STI) are inadequate to meet the needs of key populations and are not prioritized by the government. The main perceived barriers to access HPV prevention included cost and challenges to access public health care services or openly discussing one’s sexual orientation with health care providers. Participants generally preferred the CBO for more professional, unbiased staff attitudes that respect patients’ integrity, confidentiality and privacy. Most participants thought that in case the government is non-cooperative, CBOs should work in the interest of HPV eradication and generate funds through international funding.ConclusionsThe findings from this study can help public health policy and researchers to understand this minority’s perspective on HPV prevention. Given the low level of knowledge about HPV infection and its negative health consequences there is a need of HPV education combined with STI education and awareness through HPV brochures to educate the target population effectively.

“Nothing Is Like Before”: Iranian Women with Human Papillomavirus' Sexual Life

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has an adverse effect on the patient’s emotional and sexual health. The current study explored the sexual life of women after HPV diagnosis. In this qualitative content analysis study, 20 Iranian women positive for HPV shared their sexual life through face-to-face, semistructured interviews. “Nothing is like before” reflected women’s experiences of their sexual life after the HPV diagnosis. It comprised 3 categories: abnormal sex life, new attitude toward sexuality, and myths and misconceptions. More attention is needed to the way health care providers and doctors educate women about HPV transmission and HPV treatment because they shape women’s perceptions of HPV.

Knowledge, Perceptions, and Uptake of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in a Sample of US High School Adolescents.

To assess high school students' knowledge and perceptions of human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccines and evaluate high school students' self-reported uptake of the HPV vaccine. This was an observational, descriptive study using a 44-question survey. Participants were ninth grade students in a Colorado public school district. The survey was administered as part of a health education course. Ninety-two surveys were included in the analysis. Demographic characteristics included 64/92 (69.6%) male and 55/92 (59.8%) Hispanic/Latino students. There was no difference between males and females regarding self-reported vaccination status. Non-Hispanic students were 71.6% less likely to have received the HPV vaccine than Hispanic students (OR 0.284; 95% CI, 0.088-0.920; p = 0.036). The average score on the knowledge section was 42.7% with a standard deviation of 22.6%. When assessing students' perceptions, 71/92 (77.2%) disagreed or strongly disagreed that they felt at risk for getting an HPV infection. There was no significant difference between males and females regarding awareness of the HPV vaccine (p = 0.14). More than half of students (58.7%) did not know if they had received the HPV vaccine. HPV vaccine awareness was low and many students did not know if they had received the HPV vaccine. Ninth grade students did not have accurate knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccines and this study presents opportunities for increased education.

Physicians' rhetorical strategies for motivating HPV vaccination.

Rationale. Receiving a healthcare provider's recommendation is a well-documented predictor of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, and yet recommendations remain understudied and undertheorized. Objective. To qualitatively describe strategies providers use to motivate HPV vaccination. Method. We surveyed a national sample of 771 U.S. primary care physicians. Data came from an open-ended item that assessed physicians' perspectives on the most effective thing they could say to persuade parents to get HPV vaccine for their 11- to 12-year-old children. Using a standardized codebook and two independent coders, we conducted a thematic analysis to identify rhetorical strategies underlying physicians' responses. Results. We identified two sets of strategies for motivating HPV vaccination. One set drew parents' attention to specific actors or vaccine characteristics. Physicians using these strategies asked parents to consider their children's individual risk in the short-term, named specific diseases that could be prevented, emphasized the novelty of HPV vaccine as a cancer prevention tool, and gave their personal endorsement for HPV vaccination. In contrast, the second set of strategies was more distancing and impersonal. Physicians using these strategies referenced future risk, described cancer prevention in general terms, framed HPV vaccine as similar to other vaccines, and shared organizational endorsements for HPV vaccination. Across these two sets of strategies, a tension emerged between the goals of engaging parents' perceptions of HPV as a threat to their children versus framing HPV vaccination as a normative standard of care. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that theoretical frameworks, such as Construal Level Theory, may be helpful for positioning provider recommendations in the broader literature on persuasive communication. By identifying competing approaches to motivating HPV vaccination, this study lays the groundwork for future research to test the acceptability and impact of strategies for recommending routine preventive care.

Exploring the care received by HPV-positive married women at a colposcopy clinic in Tehran, Iran: A qualitative study.

Objectives:Patient experience is the focus of individual care and services to meet patient needs, but this depends on how health care providers deliver their services. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive married women from the care they received from health professionals at a colposcopy clinic in Tehran, Iran.Materials and Methods:Three focus group discussions were conducted between September and December 2016 with 30 women who had recently been referred to the clinic for cervical screening or colposcopy. Samples were collected by a purposeful sampling method in Tehran, the capital of Iran. The focus group discussions were carefully recorded at the same time as data collection. After ensuring the data saturation, interviews were terminated and data were categorized. Data was analyzed by direct conventional content analysis using MAXQDA-10.Results:Two themes and three sub-themes resulted from the data analysis, including emotional responses (anxiety and fear of women), and appropriate/inappropriate behavior of the healthcare providers.Conclusion:Healthcare providers, by identifying factors that affect patient's stress, could help reduce the negative outcomes such as patients’ emotional responses to HPV positive results.

Perceptions of Teachers, Parents and Adolescents about HPV, Cervical Cancer and HPV Vaccination

Background: In Indonesia, Human Papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination for children aged 9-13 years has not been widely done for prevention of cervical cancer. Schools contribute to the delivery of information about HPV vaccine. This research aims to explore perceptions of HPV, cervical cancer and the behaviour to ward HPV vaccination among teachers, parents and female adolescents. Method: This study employed a qualitative design with focus group discussions involving 58 participants. This research was conducted in junior high schools. The inclusion criteria were female students, parents and teachers, while the exclusion criteria were female students have HPV vaccinated. The data was analyzed by content analysis approach. Results: There were three themes: 1) Limited knowledge about the vulnerability between HPV and cervical cancer, and the lack of familiarity with HPV vaccine, 2) Insufficient insurance and overall cost for HPV vaccination, and 3) Parental involvement in HPV vaccination. Conclusion: The study showed the importance of HPV-related reproductive health promotion and financial support for increasing HPV vaccination coverage.

Follow the heart or the mind? Examining cognitive and affective attitude on HPV vaccination intention

ABSTRACT Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with various serious diseases including cervical cancer and genital warts. Although the HPV vaccine has been commended as a breakthrough for preventing HPV and HPV-related diseases, the uptake rate remains inadequate and lagging. This dissatisfaction is possibly attributed to a component of interventions that is insufficiently related to individuals’ intentions to get vaccinated against HPV – attitude. With a sample of 430 participants, this study examined which attitudinal component (cognitive vs. affective) is a stronger influencer on the intention to get the HPV vaccine. This study also investigated the influence of risk perceptions of HPV on the attitude and intention of getting the vaccine. Results revealed that cognitive attitude is the sole predictor of intention and mediates the relationship between perceived susceptibility to HPV and the intention to get the vaccine. Theoretical and practical contributions to the field of health communication and HPV vaccine promotion are further discussed.

A Qualitative Study of Parental Knowledge and Perceptions of Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer Prevention in Rural Central Java, Indonesia: Understanding Community Readiness for Prevention Interventions.

Background:Cervical cancer (CC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths among Indonesian women. Pilot prevention programs, including human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for young adolescent girls, and cervical screening for women, have been implemented. However, many communities are yet to receive these interventions, nor targeted education regarding CC prevention. This study explored community readiness and acceptance of HPV vaccination and CC screening, as well as knowledge and perceptions of HPV and CC, to determine facilitators and barriers to upscaling CC prevention in rural Central Java. Methods:Qualitative data collection in October 2015 consisted of four focus group discussions with married women and men, and 22 semi-structured interviews with married women. All 57 participants, 39 women and 15 men, lived in Purworejo Regency in rural Central Java. Results:Most participants had no knowledge of HPV or the causal link between HPV and CC. However, most participants were supportive of vaccinating their children against HPV. Most participants had heard of cervical cancer, although understandings of symptoms and causes were very poor. Less than half of the women interviewed had undergone CC screening. Multiple barriers to screening were reported, including: a dislike of pelvic exams; embarrassment at being screened by a male doctor; anxiety over the cost; fearing a positive result; and being asymptomatic and thus not perceiving the need for screening.Conclusions:Extensive community education about HPV and CC, targeting women and men, adolescents, health workers and teachers, is crucial to support the introduction of the HPV Demonstration Program and the upscaling of CC screening. Low incomes among rural families underline the need for the HPV vaccine to be provided free within the National Immunization Program, and for CC screening to be free at primary health clinics.

ASSOCIATION OF THE PERCEIVED SEVERITY OF THE HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS WITH THE PREVENTIVE INTENTION OF HPV INFECTION IN MALE ADOLESCENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

Background and objective
 The human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is usually asymptomatic, may affect both sexes, and is easily transmitted. Providing male adolescents with information about HPV prevention before sexually active state is important. This study was designed to gain a better understanding of the perceptions on HPV severity, knowledge on ways to prevent HPV infection, and influencing factors toward preventive measures in male adolescents.
 Materials and methods
 A self-administered questionnaire was completed by students aged 13–17 years from six schools in Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area, from October to December 2014. A total of 615 male adolescents participated in this cross-sectional survey.
 
 Results
 Only 58 (9.5%) boys had heard of HPV. They perceived HPV infection as a disease more severe in girls. Perceptions of HPV as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in boys (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–3.19, p<0.05) and a cause of cancer in girls (AOR=2.69, 95% CI=1.26–5.84, p<0.05) were associated with the intention to maintain monogamous sexual relationships. Alcohol consumption was associated with the intention of postponing sexual intercourse (AOR=0.53, 95% CI=0.34–0.82, p<0.01) and having a sister was associated with the intention of being vaccinated against HPV (AOR=1.48, 95% CI=1.03–2.13, p<0.05).
 
 Conclusions
 Increasing awareness on the severity of HPV affected the intentions of male adolescents to prevent HPV infection. Efforts should be made to maximize awareness of HPV as a causative agent of cancer and a common STI in both boys and girls. Education materials on the influence of HPV infection and steps to be taken for proactive prevention should be included in school health subjects. Special consideration should be given for the preventive vaccination of male adolescents nationwide.
 

HIV-positive gay men's knowledge and perceptions of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccination: A qualitative study.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) living with HIV are disproportionately impacted by HPV-associated anal cancer, with rates about 100-fold that of the general population. Fortunately, HPV vaccination has proven efficacy in preventing both anogenital warts (condyloma) in males and anal pre-cancers (anal intraepithelial neoplasia; AIN) in GBM up to the age of 26. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 25 HIV-positive gay men in Toronto to gain an understanding of their knowledge and experiences related to HPV and the HPV vaccine. These participants were part of The HPV Screening and Vaccine Evaluation (HPV-SAVE) Study, and received invitations to have anal cancer screening from their primary care doctors. Interviews were analyzed following a Grounded Theory Approach. Most participants had not received the HPV vaccine. Men described a lack of prior knowledge of the health consequences of HPV for GBM living with HIV and financial barriers to vaccine access. Participants did not articulate concerns about vaccine safety. Men frequently reported initial beliefs that HPV was predominantly—or exclusively—a risk for females or young girls, and thus they had not considered the vaccine to be necessary. Some participants remained uncertain if the current availability of the vaccine, and their newly acquired knowledge of its importance, was “too little, too late” because of their age and/or HPV exposure. Improving access and uptake of HPV vaccination requires addressing both financial barriers to access as well as increasing HPV health literacy levels, particularly by reframing the long-standing gendered associations of HPV. Physicians should provide clear, tailored messages regarding HPV vaccination.

Attitudes of undergraduate university women towards HPV vaccination: a cross-sectional study in Ottawa, Canada

BackgroundPersistent infection with certain subtypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary cause of cervical cancer. Although two prophylactic vaccines have been licensed in Canada against cancerous subtypes of HPV, vaccine uptake has been lower than anticipated. The primary objective of this study was to determine the acceptability of catch-up HPV vaccination to undergraduate university women under the age of 25, by assessing their perceptions of HPV vaccination.MethodsA total of 401 University of Ottawa female undergraduate students participated in a cross-sectional bilingual web-based survey on HPV vaccination.ResultsThe prevalence of immunization with at least 1 HPV vaccine dose was 49% in the study population. Although the overall attitude of study participants towards the vaccine was positive, vaccinated respondents had a more favourable attitude towards the vaccine than non-vaccinated respondents. Approximately half of the non-vaccinated respondents were interested in receiving the vaccine at some point in the future. The primary barriers to HPV vaccination identified by non-vaccinated respondents were lack of knowledge about the vaccines, potential vaccine side effects and cost of vaccination. Multivariable analysis comparing non-vaccinated respondents who intended to be vaccinated and those who did not suggests that the former group had a more favourable attitude towards the vaccine and would be influenced by doctor recommendation.ConclusionsOffering HPV vaccination for women aged 18 to 25 provides an opportunity to address suboptimal vaccination coverage in the population and may reduce health inequities demonstrated by variations in cervical cancer incidence within jurisdictions.

Understanding Men's Perceptions of Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer Screening in Kampala, Uganda.

PurposeThis preliminary study explores Ugandan men’s knowledge and attitudes about human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer, and screening.MethodsA local physician led an education session about cervical cancer for 62 men in Kisenyi, Kampala in Uganda. Trained nurse midwives administered surveys to assess knowledge and attitudes before and after the education session.ResultsFrom the pre-education survey, only 24.6% of men had heard of HPV previously, and 59% of men had heard of cervical cancer. Posteducation, 54.5% of men believed only women could be infected with HPV and 32.7% of men believed antibiotics could cure HPV. Despite their limited knowledge, 98.2% of men stated they would support their partners to receive screening for cervical cancer, and 100% of men surveyed stated they would encourage their daughter to get the HPV vaccine if available.ConclusionsKnowledge of HPV and cervical cancer among Ugandan men is low. Even after targeted education, confusion remained about disease transmission and treatment. Ongoing education programs geared toward men and interventions to encourage spousal communication about reproductive health and shared decision making may improve awareness of cervical cancer prevention strategies.

Perceptions and Experiences of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection and Testing among Low-Income Mexican Women.

BackgroundHPV infection causes cervical cancer, a major contributor to morbidity and mortality among low-income Mexican women. Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing is now a primary screening strategy in Mexico’s early cervical cancer detection program (ECDP). Research on Mexican women’s perceptions of HPV and testing is necessary for establishing culturally appropriate protocols and educational materials. Here, we explore perceptions about HPV and HPV-related risk factors among low-income Mexican ECDP participants.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 ECDP participants from two primary care health clinics in Michoacán state, Mexico. Interviews addressed women’s understandings of and experiences with HPV and HPV testing. Analysis was inductive and guided by the Health Belief Model with a focus on gender.ResultsWomen’s confusion about HPV and HPV screening caused emotional distress. They understood HPV to be a serious disease that would always cause severe symptoms, often characterizing it as analogous to HIV or inevitably carcinogenic. Women also attributed it to men’s sexual behaviors, specifically infidelity and poor hygiene. Women described both sexes’ desire for sex as natural but understood men’s negative practices of masculinity, like infidelity, as the causes of women’s HPV infection. Some women believed dirty public bathrooms or heredity could also cause HPV transmission.ConclusionsThese results are consistent with prior findings that geographically and economically diverse populations lack clear understandings of the nature, causes, or symptoms of HPV, even among those receiving HPV testing. Our findings also reveal that local cultural discourse relating to masculinity, along with failure to provide sufficient education to low-income and indigenous-language speaking patients, exacerbate women’s negative emotions surrounding HPV testing. While negative emotions did not deter women from seeking testing, they could be ameliorated with better health education and communication.

"I think they're all basically the same": parents' perceptions of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine compared with other adolescent vaccines.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is recommended for routine administration at ages 11-12 years. However, uptake is lower than for other vaccines that are also routinely recommended for adolescents (MCV4 and Tdap). Understanding parental perceptions of HPV vaccine compared with other vaccines may help to inform strategies to increase uptake. Parents and caregivers (n = 45) of adolescents ages 10-18 years from a low-income, ethnic minority population participated in a qualitative study. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded for emergent themes. Many participants perceived the HPV vaccine to be similar to other routine vaccines. Noted similarities included the vaccines' ability to prevent disease, similar methods of administration and belief in health care providers' recommendation. Some parents noted the greater benefit of HPV vaccine in preventing cancer, which was viewed as a serious disease. Parents also noted the different mode of transmission (sexual) for HPV, which evoked mixed opinions. Overall, most participants viewed the HPV vaccine in a positive light and similar to other adolescent vaccines with the added benefit of cancer prevention. Strategies that treat all three vaccines equally such as presenting them similarly as a 'bundle' to parents or considering policy initiatives such as school entry requirements might help increase raise coverage for HPV vaccine.

Perceptions of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and acceptability of HPV vaccine among men attending a sexual health clinic differ according to sexual orientation

ABSTRACTOur aim was to gain a better understanding of the knowledge about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and attitudes toward the HPV vaccine among men at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI). A self-administered questionnaire was completed by attendees of the largest STI Center in Rome, Italy, from April to June 2013. Determinants of vaccine acceptability were investigated using a Structured Equation Model.A total of 423 males participated in the survey: 296 (70.0%) men who have sex with men (MSM) and 127 (30.0%) men who have sex with women (MSW). Only one half of the participants knew that HPV is the cause of genital warts (56.9% of MSM vs. 49.5% of MSW, p=0.28). Even less were aware that HPV causes cancer in men (37.2% vs. 27.3%, p=0.08). MSW were more likely to indicate HPV as a cause of cervical cancer (80.8% vs. 69.3%, p=0.03) and to have heard about the vaccine (58.3 vs. 43.6%, p=0.01). Moreover, 72.1% of MSM and 70.3% of MSW were willing to be vaccinated. A rise of one-unit in the HPV awareness score increased the OR of vaccine acceptability among MSM by 25% (OR 1.25, 95%CI: 1.05–1.49; p=0.013). Differently, only attitudes had a relevant effect on willingness to be vaccinated among MSW (OR 3.32, 95%CI: 1.53–7.17; p=0.002).Efforts should be made to maximize awareness of HPV, especially as a causative agent of genital warts and male cancers, and to reinforce positive attitudes toward vaccination among men visiting STI centers.

Factors Correlating Perceptions of HPV and Vaccine Uptake among High School Students

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is arguably the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection, and has been linked to a variety of health complications including cervical cancer, anal cancer, and anogenital warts. The HPV vaccine can prevent these health complications, but few studies have investigated the specific factors that impact HPV vaccine uptake. Methods: Two hundred seventy-five male and female high school students were surveyed in an ethnically diverse school district in southern California regarding HPV vaccine uptake and perceptions. Results: Less than one third of students reported their physician had discussed HPV vaccine with them, and fewer still for males (p

The Females Against Cancer Educational Series: A Qualitative Evaluation of Mother/Daughter Knowledge and Perceptions of Human Papillomavirus and Its Related Cancers

To evaluate the knowledge, perceptions, and effectiveness of an human papillomavirus (HPV)/cervical cancer education/prevention program. Approximately 50 middle and high school girls and their mothers participated in the 7-part educational series. Qualitative pre-evaluations and postevaluations were completed for every session, followed by culminating focus groups with mothers and daughters separately. Common themes included lack of basic knowledge about HPV and its related cancers. Additionally, mothers and daughters expressed difficulty in communicating with one another about healthy relationships; however, during the focus groups, both mothers and daughters discussed how they had utilized effective communication tools to discuss sensitive topics and make informed decisions together. Despite recent HPV prevention campaigns, more innovative strategies must be implemented to educate more mothers and daughters of HPV and its dangers. Additionally, in educating communities about HPV and associated cancers, more innovative strategies should be mobilized to trigger discussions regarding protective behaviors against HPV.