HPV vaccine acceptability among Kenyan women

As human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines become available in less-developed countries, understanding women's attitudes towards HPV vaccines can help guide approaches to immunization programs. We assessed knowledge and interest in prophylactic HPV vaccines among Kenyan women seeking women's health services (N = 147). They knew little about cervical cancer or HPV vaccine. Most women (95%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 92%, 99%), however, were willing to have their daughters vaccinated with a vaccine that would prevent cervical cancer, with preference for an inexpensive vaccine requiring fewer doses.     

Human papillomavirus and HPV vaccines: a review

Cervical cancer, the most common cancer affecting women in developing countries, is caused by persistent infection with "high-risk" genotypes of human papillomaviruses (HPV). The most common oncogenic HPV genotypes are 16 and 18, causing approximately 70% of all cervical cancers. Types 6 and 11 do not contribute to the incidence of high-grade dysplasias (precancerous lesions) or cervical cancer, but do cause laryngeal papillomas and most genital warts. HPV is highly transmissible, with peak incidence soon after the onset of sexual activity. A quadrivalent (types 6, 11, 16 and 18) HPV vaccine has recently been licensed in several countries following the determination that it has an acceptable benefit/risk profile. In large phase III trials, the vaccine prevented 100% of moderate and severe precancerous cervical lesions associated with types 16 or 18 among women with no previous infection with these types. A bivalent (types 16 and 18) vaccine has also undergone extensive evaluation and been licensed in at least one country. Both vaccines are prepared from non-infectious, DNA-free virus-like particles produced by recombinant technology and combined with an adjuvant. With three doses administered, they induce high levels of serum antibodies in virtually all vaccinated individuals. In women who have no evidence of past or current infection with the HPV genotypes in the vaccine, both vaccines show > 90% protection against persistent HPV infection for up to 5 years after vaccination, which is the longest reported follow-up so far. Vaccinating at an age before females are exposed to HPV would have the greatest impact. Since HPV vaccines do not eliminate the risk of cervical cancer, cervical screening will still be required to minimize cancer incidence. Tiered pricing for HPV vaccines, innovative financing mechanisms and multidisciplinary partnerships will be essential in order for the vaccines to reach populations in greatest need.     

Mothers' preferences and willingness to pay for HPV vaccines in Vinh Long Province, Vietnam

About 530,000 women develop cervical cancer worldwide and 275,000 die from the disease each year. Eighty percent of these deaths occur in developing countries. In Vietnam, cervical cancer has recently emerged as the most common type of cancer in women, and there are no national screening programs for cervical cancer. Since 2009, two different human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have been licensed for use in Vietnam, but access to these vaccines is generally limited to people who live in urban areas. Studies have shown that HPV vaccination may be cost-effective in cervical cancer prevention in Vietnam, depending on vaccination costs. Given that current HPV vaccines are expensive and public health funding for supporting a rapid introduction of the vaccine is limited, expanding and sustaining access to the HPV vaccine may require alternative financing mechanisms, such as fees-based immunization services. A conjoint analysis study was conducted with mothers of girls 9-17 years of age in Vinh Long Province in Vietnam to estimate the mothers' demand for HPV vaccines for their daughters and to measure the tradeoffs between vaccine fees and vaccine uptake. The results suggest that the demand for HPV vaccines was high, increased with vaccine effectiveness and duration of effectiveness, and decreased with vaccine cost. Vaccine effectiveness was the most important vaccine attribute to these mothers, followed by duration of effectiveness. The predicted probability of respondents buying an HPV vaccine that was 70% effective for 10 years varied by the price, ranging from 30% when the vaccine price was $353 per course, to 68% when the vaccine cost $6 per course. As expected, demand and predicted purchase probability were higher among groups with higher socioeconomic status.     

HPV and cervical cancer testing and prevention: knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes among Hispanic women

Cervical cancer is a preventable disease resulting from infection with high-risk types of sexually transmitted human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Public knowledge of HPVs and their link to cervical cancer is limited. Participation in cervical cancer prevention programs, including Pap and HPV screening and HPV vaccine acceptance, is crucial for limiting the incidence of cervical cancer. Hispanic women suffer the highest cervical cancer incidence rates in the United States. In this study, we conducted community-based focus groups with Hispanic women to explore knowledge and attitudes relating to cervical cancer, HPV, HPV testing, and HPV vaccination. Study findings suggest a need to increase public health literacy in relation to HPV, the link between HPV and cervical cancer, and HPV primary and secondary prevention options. Health care providers should be prepared to share information with patients that supports and promotes informed decision making about HPV testing and vaccines and their complementary roles in cervical cancer screening and prevention.     

Challenges to accepting a human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine: a qualitative study of Australian women

A vaccine that protects women against the two most frequent high-risk genotypes of human papilloma virus (HPV) and the two types that cause 90 percent of genital warts was licensed in June 2006 in the USA and Australia. It is important to understand whether a vaccine delivered to young women before the onset of sexual activity would be acceptable. The goal of this project was to investigate the knowledge and awareness of Victorian women about cervical cancer and HPV infections, and their beliefs about, and possible barriers to, a potential vaccine. We report on findings from five focus groups, held between August and October 2005, which targeted 34 women, aged 22 to 71, from diverse backgrounds. High levels of acceptance of vaccines in general were expressed, particularly if the vaccine is recommended by health professionals and supported by the government. Reservations emerged about the proposed HPV vaccine when the link between HPV and sexual activity was understood. We offer suggestions concerning the nature of information required prior to the introduction of a vaccination program and the mechanisms by which the information can be delivered to ensure its availability to all women.     

Racial Differences in HPV Knowledge, HPV Vaccine Acceptability, and Related Beliefs Among Rural, Southern Women

ABSTRACT:  Context: Because cervical cancer mortality in the United States is twice as high among black women as white women and higher in rural areas, providing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to rural black adolescents is a high priority. Purpose: To identify racial differences in knowledge and attitudes about HPV, cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine that may influence uptake of the vaccine. Methods: We interviewed women (91 black and 47 white) living in a rural area of the Southern United States in 2006. Analyses controlled for socioeconomic status, age, and recruitment location. Findings: More white respondents had heard of HPV than had black respondents (57% vs 24%, P < .001), and whites had higher HPV knowledge (42% vs 29% correct responses, P < .05). Blacks were less likely than whites to think that cervical cancer would be a serious threat to their daughters' health (75% vs 96%, P < .001). More blacks than whites thought the ideal age to receive the vaccine was 17 years or older (63% vs 40%, P < .05). Blacks reported lower intentions to vaccinate their daughters than whites (M = 4.14 vs 4.55, P < .05 in unadjusted analyses, but not statistically significant in adjusted analyses). Conclusions: Black and white respondents had different awareness, knowledge, and beliefs related to the HPV vaccine. Communication-based interventions to maximize uptake of the HPV vaccine in the rural, Southern United States may need different messages for black parents of adolescent girls .     

HPV流行病学数据对三种HPV疫苗有效性的初步预测

目的 本研究分析了江苏南京地区门诊和宫颈癌患者HPV感染率及亚型分布情况,评估二价、四价、九价3种HPV疫苗对本地区人群的保护作用,为疫苗的选择提供依据。方法 回顾性地分析2014年至2018年该院妇科门诊进行HPV分型检测的36280例患者和首次入院病理确诊为宫颈癌进行HPV分型检测的69例患者的感染情况。结果 门诊患者感染率为30.3%,其中82.3%为高危型感染。感染率排名前3的亚型分别为52(18%)、16(13.9%)、58(9%)型。宫颈癌患者感染率为81.2%,其中91.5%为高危型感染,主要为16、18、58、31型。门诊患者感染率在＜20岁组和＞60岁组呈现双峰分布的趋势。二价、四价、九价疫苗对门诊患者的保护率分别为17%、20%和54%,对宫颈癌患者的保护率分别为67%、67%和85%。结论 二价和四价疫苗对门诊和宫颈癌患者的保护率相近。九价疫苗因为增加了更多的抗原种类,保护率更高,使门诊患者受益更多。     

The HPV Vaccine: A Comparison of Focus Groups Conducted in South Africa and Ohio Appalachia

Worldwide, cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among women. Even though women in developing countries account for approximately 85 % of the cervical cancer cases and deaths, disparities in cervical cancer rates are also documented in developed countries like the United States (U.S.). Recently, formative research conducted in the U.S. and developing countries like South Africa have sought to gain a better understanding of the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about cervical cancer prevention, HPV, and the acceptance of the HPV vaccine. This study compares findings from two independent focus group studies. One study was conducted in a segregated township in Johannesburg, South Africa (n = 24) and the other study was conducted in Ohio Appalachia (n = 19). The following seven themes emerged during the discussions from both studies: HPV and cervical cancer; health decision making; parent–child communication; healthy children; HPV vaccine costs; sexual abuse; and HPV vaccine education. Findings from both studies indicate the importance of the role of mothers and grandmothers in the health care decision-making process for children and a lack of awareness of HPV and its association with cervical cancer. While there was interest in the HPV vaccine, participants voiced concern about the vaccine’s cost and side effects. Some participants expressed concern that receipt of the HPV vaccine may initiate adolescent sexual behavior. However, other participants suggested that the HPV vaccine may protect young women who may experience sexual abuse. The importance of developing culturally appropriate educational materials and programs about cervical cancer prevention and the HPV vaccine were expressed by participants in both countries.     

Knowledge of HPV among United States Hispanic women: opportunities and challenges for cancer prevention

In the United States, Hispanic women contribute disproportionately to cervical cancer incidence and mortality. This disparity, which primarily reflects lack of access to, and underutilization of, routine Pap smear screening may improve with increased availability of vaccines to prevent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the principal cause of cervical cancer. However, limited research has explored known determinants of HPV vaccine acceptability among Hispanic women. The current study examines two such determinants, HPV awareness and knowledge, using data from the 2007 Health Interview National Trends Survey (HINTS) and a cross-section of callers to the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Information Service (CIS). Study data indicate that HPV awareness was high in both samples (69.5% and 63.8% had heard of the virus) but that knowledge of the virus and its association with cervical cancer varied between the two groups of women. The CIS sample, which was more impoverished and less acculturated than their HINTS counterparts, were less able to correctly identify that HPV causes cervical cancer (67.1% vs. 78.7%) and that it is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI; 66.8% vs. 70.4%). Such findings imply that future research may benefit from disaggregating data collected with Hispanics to reflect important heterogeneity in this population subgroup's ancestries, levels of income, educational attainment, and acculturation. Failing to do so may preclude opportunity to understand, as well as to attenuate, cancer disparity.     

Understanding HPV Vaccine Uptake Among Cambodian American Girls

Cervical cancer incidence rates vary substantially among racial/ethnic groups in the United States (US) with women of Southeast Asian descent having the highest rates. Up to 70 % of cervical cancers could be prevented by widespread use of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. However, there is a lack of information about HPV vaccine uptake among Southeast Asian girls in the US. We conducted a telephone survey of Cambodian women with daughters who were age-eligible for HPV vaccination. Survey items addressed HPV vaccination barriers, facilitators and uptake. Our study group included 86 Cambodian mothers who lived in the Seattle metropolitan area. The proportions of survey participants who reported their daughter had initiated and completed the HPV vaccine series were only 29 and 14 %, respectively. Higher levels of vaccine uptake were significantly associated with mothers having heard about the HPV vaccine from a health professional and having received a recent Pap test. Commonly cited barriers to HPV vaccination included lack of knowledge about the HPV vaccine, not having received a physician recommendation for HPV vaccination and thinking the HPV vaccine is unnecessary in the absence of health problems. Linguistically and culturally appropriate HPV educational programs should be developed and implemented in Cambodian American communities. These programs should aim to enhance understanding of disease prevention measures, increase knowledge about the HPV vaccine and empower women to ask their daughter’s doctors for HPV vaccination.     

Pap Testing, Awareness, and Acceptability of a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Among Chinese American Women

Little is known about the knowledge and opinions of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among Chinese immigrants, nor the impact of framing HPV as a sexually transmitted infection in this population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted focusing on knowledge and experience with HPV, HPV vaccine, cervical cancer and Pap testing, and attitudes toward HPV vaccine in response to different message frames. Chinese American women were recruited in a community setting (n?=?162). Only 19?% had heard of HPV and 38?% had had a Pap test in the last 3?years. Multivariate logistic regression showed that English proficiency was associated with vaccination acceptance and insurance status was associated with HPV awareness; there was no observed correlation with message framing. Chinese American women with limited English proficiency have low HPV awareness. Community-based, culturally appropriate education about cervical cancer and HPV vaccine should be directed toward limited-English proficient Chinese American women.     

澳门妇女和医师对HPV疫苗的认知态度调查及其推广应用分析

目的了解澳门特别行政区女性和执业医师在人乳头瘤病毒(human papillomavirus,HPV)疫苗纳入免费防疫接种计划之前对其认知、接受度,及疫苗的使用情况,分析影响接种的主要因素,评估HPV疫苗在澳门发展情况,为宫颈癌预防工作提供适当的模式。方法 2008年8~12月采用问卷抽样调查方式对澳门特别行政区1 716名女性及108名执业医师进行问卷调查,利用SPSS 13.5软件进行统计分析。结果受调查妇女中,47.1%的女性曾听过HPV,76.7%的女性听过宫颈癌疫苗,认为HPV感染与宫颈癌有关联性的仅为35.4%。另外,38.4%的女性及其中43.4%的母亲愿意自己或女儿接种疫苗。据多因素logistic回归分析得出年龄、个人收入、职业、个人防护、担心患宫颈癌、担心疫苗来源、认为自己年龄太大或太小是影响接受疫苗的主要因素。澳门医师对HPV及HPV疫苗都有中高度认知。约60%受调查医师对HPV疫苗有信心,而评价疫苗的不足主要是价格太贵。结论澳门宣传有关HPV及HPV疫苗的知识是有效的,HPV疫苗在澳门使用人数逐渐增加。为增加澳门居民对疫苗的接受程度,达到预防宫颈癌的目的,政府仍需采用多种宣传方式加强宣传力度。     

Implementing HPV vaccines: public knowledge, attitudes, and the need for education

This article reviews qualitative research on public knowledge and attitudes to HPV vaccines, focusing on socio-economically challenged populations. Keyword searches were conducted on MEDLINE and ISI Web of Science for relevant peer-reviewed literature in English. A high acceptance of HPV vaccines was found despite low knowledge about HPV (types, prevalence, transmission, health risks, and cervical screening). Facilitators of HPV vaccine uptake included fear of cancer and desire to protect children's health. Barriers included low knowledge levels, perception of HPV vaccines as potential causes of sexual disinhibition, concerns about vaccine costs, social stigma, adverse effects, and parental unwillingness to permit vaccination of pre-adolescent children. Despite acceptance of HPV vaccines, implementation in low-resource settings faces social and economic difficulties. To pursue and strengthen cervical screening in these settings, public education about HPV is key.     

A qualitative analysis of South African women's knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about HPV and cervical cancer prevention, vaccine awareness and acceptance, and maternal-child communication about sexual health

In South Africa, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death among women. Black South Africa women are disproportionately affected by cervical cancer and have one of the highest mortality rates from this disease. Although the body of literature that examines HPV and cervical cancer prevention is growing in the developing world; there is still a need for a better understanding of women's knowledge and beliefs around HPV and cervical cancer prevention. Therefore, this formative study sought to examine women's attitudes, beliefs and knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer, HPV vaccine acceptance, maternal-child communication about sexuality, and healthcare decision-making and gender roles within an urban community in South Africa.Women ages 18-44 were recruited from an antenatal clinic in a Black township outside of Johannesburg during the fall of 2008. Twenty-four women participated in three focus groups. Findings indicated that the women talked to their children about a variety of sexual health issues; had limited knowledge about HPV, cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine. Women were interested in learning more about the vaccine although they had reservations about the long-term affect; they reinforced that grandmothers played a key role in a mother's decisions’ about her child's health, and supported the idea that government should provide the HPV vaccine as part of the country's immunization program.Our findings indicate the need to develop primary prevention strategies and materials that will provide women with basic cervical cancer prevention messages, including information about HPV, cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine, screening, and how to talk to their children about these topics. Prevention strategies should also consider the cultural context and the role that grandmothers play in the family unit.     

English Proficiency, Knowledge, and Receipt of HPV Vaccine in Vietnamese-American Women

Cervical cancer is one of the most important disease burdens experienced by Vietnamese-American women. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the etiological agent in almost all cases of cervical cancer. We surveyed Vietnamese-American women to determine receipt of HPV vaccine and assessed if limited English proficiency and knowledge related to HPV vaccine were associated with HPV vaccine uptake. Of the 113 Vietnamese-American women who participated in the study, 58 % (n = 68) was born in Vietnam. The mean years of residency in the United States was 12.75 years. Only 16 (14 %) reported receiving HPV vaccine and 11 (9 %) reported receiving all three shots. Thirteen women responded that they are not at all likely to receive HPV vaccine. Of the whole sample, 47 % (n = 53) reported proficiency in spoken and written English. English proficiency was significantly associated with receipt of HPV vaccine (OR = 4.4; confidence interval (95 % CI) = 1.2; 16.50; p = 0.03). Of the knowledge items, 70 % (n = 79) responded correctly that HPV increases the risk for cervical cancer. However, as many as 60 % responded incorrectly, that HPV infection can be cured with medication. The item, “People infected with HPV can be cured with medication,” was the most important variable associated with receipt of HPV vaccine. Specifically, those with correct response were 3.8 times more likely to report receiving the HPV vaccine (OR = 3.8; 95 % CI = 1.1; 13.5; p = 0.04). Important public health needs are the development and evaluation of educational programs on HPV and cervical cancer that are designed for Vietnamese-American women.     

A phase I study to evaluate a human papillomavirus (HPV) type 18 L1 VLP vaccine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can cause genital warts and cervical cancer. HPV types 6 and 11 cause >90% of genital wart cases; HPV16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancers. A prophylactic HPV (types 6, 11, 16, 18) L1 virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine may substantially reduce the incidence of these lesions. This report describes the results of a phase I study of the HPV18 component of such a vaccine. Forty women were randomized to receive either HPV18 L1 VLP vaccine or placebo. Anti-HPV18 responses were measured using a competitive radioimmunoassay (cRIA). Tolerability was evaluated using vaccination report cards (VRC). The study showed that the HPV18 L1 VLP vaccine was generally well-tolerated and highly immunogenic. Peak anti-HPV18 geometric mean titers (GMT) in vaccines were 60-fold greater than those observed in women following natural HPV18 infection. Further studies of a multivalent HPV L1 VLP vaccines are warranted.     

Acceptability of HPV Vaccine Implementation Among Parents in India

Due to high cervical cancer rates and limited research on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine acceptability in India, the research team examined parental attitudes toward HPV vaccines. Thirty-six interviews with parents were conducted to assess sexually transmitted infection (STI)-related knowledge and HPV-specific vaccine awareness and acceptability. Despite limited knowledge, parents had positive views toward HPV vaccines. Common barriers included concerns about side effects, vaccine cost, and missing work to receive the vaccine. Parents were strongly influenced by health care providers’ recommendations. Our findings suggest that addressing parental concerns, health worker training and polices, and efforts to minimize cost will be central to successful HPV vaccine implementation.     

华北地区大学生对HPV及其疫苗的认知现况调查

目的 了解华北地区高校学生对人乳头瘤病毒（human papillomavirus,HPV）及其疫苗的认知、态度和疫苗接受意愿,为高校HPV的健康教育和疫苗的推广提供参考。方法 采用自制问卷方便抽样的方法,针对我国华北地区5个市的大学生开展大规模横断面流行病学研究,并分析大学生HPV疫苗接受度的影响因素。 结果 2 783（52.8%）名大学生听说过HPV,其中女生人数明显多于男生（2 148 vs 635,P＜0.05）;2 933（55.6%）名大学生听说过HPV疫苗,疫苗认知率女生高于男生（59.6%vs 44.5%,P＜0.05）;4 155（78.8%）名大学生愿意接种HPV疫苗,其中3198（79.9%）名大学生认为HPV疫苗费用过高,应由政府和个人共同承担;大学生的性别、专业和对HPV疫苗的认知影响疫苗的接种。结论 我国大学生对HPV及其疫苗的认知仍然十分欠缺,高校HPV相关健康教育对本地区疫苗推广和宫颈癌的预防十分必要。     

杭州市女性人类乳头瘤病毒疫苗认知度及接受度的调查研究

目的调查杭州市女性对人类乳头瘤病毒(human papillomavirus,HPV)疫苗的认知度以及接受度,为HPV疫苗的推广提供一定的基础。方法以问卷的形式对500名在杭女性进行HPV疫苗认知度以及接受度的调查,将数据结果统计分析。结果 500名调查对象中只有28.83%知道HPV疫苗相关知识,在杭女性HPV疫苗的认知度与年龄和教育程度有关,不同年龄女性认知度间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),不同学历女性认知度间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)且认知度随着受教育程度的提高而增加。受调查者中,有47.85%的女性愿意接受HPV疫苗。结论在杭女性对HPV疫苗的认知度和接受度均不高,因此应加强这方面的教育,有利于促进宫颈癌综合防治工作。