A multilevel analysis of factors influencing the inaccuracy of parental reports of adolescent HPV vaccination status

Background

Parental reports are commonly used for adolescent HPV vaccination status but may be subjected to bias. Guided by the Socioecological Framework, our study explores potential multilevel factors influencing the inaccuracy of parental reports of adolescent HPV vaccination status.

Difficulties in the prevention of cervical cancer: adults' attitudes towards HPV vaccination 3 years after introducing the vaccine in Hungary

Cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent gynaecological malignancies worldwide. The Hungarian incidence and mortality of this disease take the 4th-5th places within the European Union. A survey including 785 male and female adults was conducted to assess the knowledge and attitudes concerning HPV vaccination. We focused on the difficulties of the primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer and examined some potential sociodemographic predictors of HPV vaccine acceptability.Our findings have identified some important issues like: incomplete knowledge, intense distrust and financial concerns. Almost half of the college students (45.6%) are unaware of HPV infections. We confirmed previous findings that older age and female gender correlates with better knowledge on STDs, including HPV. We found that greater exposure to health information comes with better knowledge and more positive attitudes towards vaccination.One quarter of survey respondents do not believe that cervical cancer may be prevented by vaccination. More than half of the adults do not trust national health care system and the preparedness of Hungarian doctors. General attitudes towards vaccination are broadly positive, 80% of survey participants had expressed desire towards HPV vaccination, however if there was a need to pay for the vaccination the willingness would decrease by half.Primary prevention through HPV-focused educational programs, clear communication and financial support would be important for public health to reduce the high incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in Hungary in the future.     

西安市妇科门诊患者HPV和HPV疫苗的认知调查

目的 了解西安市妇科门诊患者对人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)的认知情况及其接种HPV疫苗的态度,为推广HPV疫苗的接种提供依据. 方法 在西安市第四医院妇科门诊单纯随机抽取前来就诊的患者1 000人,采用自行设计的问卷,进行调查.问卷内容主要包括患者的基本资料(年龄、婚姻、学历、职业)、对HPV的认知、对HPV疫苗的认知及态度. 结果 32.5％患者知晓HPV,不同年龄、教育程度、职业的女性在HPV知晓率上差异均有统计学意义.30＜年龄≤40岁年龄段的女性对HPV的知晓率(49％)明显高于21≤年龄≤30岁(34.4％)和60＜年龄≤71岁(17.6％)年龄段的女性,大学及以上学历的女性对HPV的知晓率(44.3％)明显高于初高中组,未受过教育的女性对HPV的知晓率(29.7％)最低;干部/职员/技术人员对HPV的知晓率(41.7％)最高,而工人、农民、个体户/服务人员对HPV的知晓率普遍偏低.76.0％患者愿意接种HPV疫苗,担心会感染HPV(32.1％)或患宫颈癌(26.1％)的女性有较强的接种意愿.56.6％的患者能接受的疫苗价格在50 ～ 100元,有49.9％的患者更愿意接受政府提供的疫苗,40.8％的患者更愿意接受医疗机构提供的疫苗. 结论 西安市门诊患者对HPV及其疫苗的知晓率较低,应加强公众健康教育宣传力度,普及HPV疫苗相关知识.     

Influences of sociodemographic characteristics and parental HPV vaccination hesitancy on HPV vaccination coverage in five US states

BackgroundIn the United States (US), half of new human papillomavirus (HPV) infections occur among young people aged 15–24 years. Despite the effectiveness of HPV vaccination in protecting against HPV-associated cancers, its coverage among adolescents remains suboptimal. This study examined the association of sociodemographic characteristics and HPV vaccination hesitancy with HPV vaccination coverage in five US states with disproportionately low adolescent coverage rates compared to the national average.MethodsResponses to an online Qualtrics survey from 926 parents of children aged 9–17 years in Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Southern Illinois in July 2021 were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression to estimate the association of sociodemographic characteristics and HPV vaccination hesitancy with HPV vaccination coverage.ResultsOf the parents, 78 % were female, 76 % were non-Hispanic White, 61.9 % lived in rural areas, 22 % were classified as HPV vaccine hesitant, and 42 % had vaccinated their oldest child between the ages of 9–17 years against HPV. Children of vaccine hesitant parents were less likely to have received any doses of the HPV vaccine than children of non-vaccine hesitant parents (AOR: 0.17, 95 % CI:0.11–0.27). Male children were less likely to have initiated the HPV vaccine series than female children (AOR: 0.70, 95 % CI:0.50–0.97). Older children (13–17 vs 9–12 years), receiving the meningococcal conjugate or most recent seasonal influenza vaccine were all associated with higher likelihoods of receiving any doses of the HPV vaccine (AOR: 6.01, 95 % CI:3.98–9.08; AOR: 2.24, 95 % CI:1.27–3.95; AOR: 2.41, 95 % CI:1.73–3.36, respectively).ConclusionsAdolescent HPV vaccination coverage remains low in our targeted states. Children’s age, sex, and parental vaccine hesitancy were significantly associated with likelihood of HPV vaccination. These findings offer the opportunity for targeted interventions among parents in regions with low vaccine uptake and underscore the importance of developing and implementing strategies to address parental HPV vaccination hesitancy to improve uptake in the US.     

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。     

Knowledge and attitude of students studying at health department towards HPV and HPV vaccination

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common diagnosed sexually transmitted infection in the world. The most frequent disease linked to HPV is cervical cancer as well as other cancers including those of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and oropharynx.Our research sought to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes concerning human papillomaviruses and their vaccine among students enrolled in Alt?nba? University's faculties of health sciences.MethodA cross-sectional study was carried out using a survey containing 41 questions about demographic variables, knowledge, and attitudes toward HPV and HPV vaccines. The questions were distributed to students via Google form using social media applications such as WhatsApp.ResultsThe study involved 144 students, 71.5 % of whom were female. 37.5 % of the participants learned about HPV from social media. Knowledge of HPV is present in 82 % of females and 25 % of males. Most of the questions had more accurate replies from female than from male students p < 0.05. As a result, 88 %, 46 % of female respondents and 27 %, 14 % of male respondents, respectively, correctly answered the questions about who should receive HPV vaccinations p < 0.001 and how many doses are necessary.ConclusionParticipants' awareness of HPV, HPV vaccination, and cervical cancer was rather high when compared to other research. However, there are knowledge gaps that need to be corrected and provided through educational programs.     

Parental acceptance of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

Background

Cervical cancer ranks the second most frequent cancer in Indonesian women. In Indonesia, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine acceptance has not been studied before.

Objective

To determine parental HPV vaccine acceptance in Indonesia, and factors that influence their decision. Factors include sociodemographic factors, knowledge of HPV, HPV vaccination and cervical cancer, health beliefs about cervical cancer, and attitudes towards vaccination in general.

Methods

746 parents, with at least 1 daughter aged 0-14, were interviewed using questionnaires based on published and adjusted interviews. Interviews were done in sub district public health centers, general governmental hospitals, and via house-visits, in 5 Indonesian provinces.

Results

Parental HPV vaccine acceptance was 96.1%. Logistic regression revealed that age, beliefs regarding cervical cancer, and attitudes towards vaccination in general were significantly associated with HPV vaccine acceptance. Of the participants, 66.0%, 16.6%, and 15.8% had heard about cervical cancer, HPV, and HPV vaccination respectively. The mean total knowledge score was 1.91(Standard Deviation 2.31) on a 0-8 scale. Health beliefs about cervical cancer and attitudes towards vaccination in general were positive. Participants named the high cost of the vaccine, fear for side-effects, and chosen vaccination locations as possible barriers towards HPV vaccine implementation.

Discussion

Parental HPV vaccine acceptance is high, but knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer is low. During HPV vaccination programs, focus should not only be on providing information, but also on existing beliefs and attitudes towards cervical cancer and vaccination in general. If HPV vaccination programs were to be implemented in Indonesia, the indicated barriers should be taken into account.     

Knowledge,attitudes and acceptance toward Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination: Perspectives of Muslim women and men

ObjectivesHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the leading risk factor for the development of anogenital cancers. Most Arab countries lack both HPV education and national HPV vaccination programs. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and acceptance toward HPV vaccination in men and women from Oman, a country in the Middle Eastern North Africa region.MethodsThis cross-sectional quantitative study used convenience sampling to recruit male and female participants, aged 18 years and above from all 11 governorates of Oman to complete a validated self-administered questionnaire online in the Arabic language. The questionnaire comprised five sections, with a total of 32 questions. The questionnaire, including Arabic and English versions, was content validated and piloted.ResultsA total of 1403 participants, including 952 parents and 369 healthcare providers, completed the survey. The results showed a lack of knowledge regarding HPV infection and vaccines, including among healthcare providers. Less than a quarter of the participants had heard of HPV infection, with digital sources of information being the most common. Factors such as being a woman or a healthcare provider or completing higher levels of education were independently and significantly positively association with HPV awareness (p < 0.001). The majority of the participants lacked vaccine safety knowledge, had concerns about the vaccine's side effects, and sought reassurance of its protection against HPV infection (62%, 71.5%, and 84.6%, respectively). Nevertheless, nearly two-thirds of the participants agreed to take the HPV vaccine, with support for both boys and girls being vaccinated. There was almost universal agreement among the participants regarding the need for parental and adolescent HPV educational programs.ConclusionOmani women and men showed a high level of acceptance and favorable attitude toward HPV vaccination. The study findings support future efforts to implement school and public-level HPV education and a national HPV vaccination program in Oman.     

Knowledge,attitudes, and practices among Saudi women regarding cervical cancer,human papillomavirus (HPV) and corresponding vaccine

AimTo our knowledge there are no studies exploring Saudi women’s understanding of the importance of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. In the present study, we examined the awareness of HPV and women’s attitudes toward the HPV vaccine.MethodNine focus groups were formed in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia, including 77 women between the ages of 18 and 45 years old. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in 58 female healthcare providers to examine women’s awareness of cervical cancer, HPV, barriers, acceptance, beliefs, and attitudes towards the HPV vaccine.ResultsFocus group discussions revealed a lack of knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer, HPV, and the HPV vaccine. Cultural concerns regarding screening and vaccinating for a conventionally known sexually transmitted infection were an emerging theme in addition to not perceiving cervical cancer screening as necessary because women with no signs and symptoms considered themselves not at risk for developing cervical cancer. Approximately 30% of healthcare providers other than physicians were unaware of prevention methods, and 63.3% did not practice any screening methods for cervical cancer and attributed the lack of screening to “no specific reasons at all”.ConclusionBecause of the unfavorable knowledge and attitude of HPV infection and the associated vaccine from the women in the present study, emphasis should be directed to educate and promote awareness of women to the risk factors of cervical cancer and to the need for screening programs and the administration of the vaccine.     

In silico DNA vaccine designing against human papillomavirus (HPV) causing cervical cancer

HPV vaccines available in the market are not effective against different strains of papillomavirus, therefore, there is a need to develop a new prophylactic DNA vaccine which can work against different strains of HPVs and may lead to protection of cervical cancer against new pandemic viruses. We designed a potential prophylactic DNA vaccine by using all the consensus epitopic sequences of HPVs L2 capsid protein and performed in silico cloning of multiepitopic antigenic DNA sequence in pVAX-1 vector. Immunogenicity of vaccine has been enhanced by techniques like codon optimization, engineering CpG motifs, introducing promoters and co-injection with plasmids expressing immune-stimulatory molecules.     

HPV vaccine acceptance among adolescent males and their parents in two suburban pediatric practices

PurposeTo measure HPV vaccine acceptance among unvaccinated adolescent males and parents and correlate acceptance with knowledge, awareness, and personal experience.MethodsAdolescent males ages 11–21 years old and their parents completed questionnaires measuring attitudes and knowledge about HPV vaccination and personal experience. Acceptance was defined as wanting the vaccine and conditional acceptance as wanting the vaccine if it would protect against genital warts or cervical cancer.ResultsAdolescent (n = 154) and parent (n = 121) vaccine acceptance was low (16% and 34%, respectively); however, conditional acceptance was higher. While adolescents had similar conditional acceptance for a vaccine against genital warts and cervical cancer, parents reported higher conditional acceptance for protection against genital warts. Independent predictors of acceptance included personal experience and demographic variables.ConclusionsHPV vaccine acceptance among adolescents and parents was low. Conditional acceptance levels highlight the importance of education about a few important benefits of HPV vaccination, which may increase vaccination rates.     

长治市医学和非医学大学生HPV疫苗相关知识现况调查

目的探讨大学生对宫颈癌疾病相关知识及预防性HPV疫苗的认知现状,为学校进行宫颈癌及HPV病毒相关健康教育提供理论依据,为预防性HPV疫苗的推广接种和宫颈癌的防治提供参考资料。方法以长治地区高校大学生为研究对象;采取自行设计的电子问卷,于2018年3-9月组织在校大学生进行在线问卷调查。结果共收回570份问卷,有效问卷552份,有效率96. 84%。其中23. 73%(131/552)的学生了解宫颈癌发病时主要的临床表现,28. 09%(160/552)的学生知道诱发宫颈癌的最常见HPV高危型别,仅有17. 39%(96/552)的学生认为二价与四价预防性HPV疫苗对于预防宫颈癌的效果是相当的。结论应加强大学生关于宫颈癌疾病及预防性HPV疫苗相关知识的全面、系统宣教,健康教育的重点可放在关于HPV疫苗有效性、安全性及接种相关知识背景等方面,可一定程度上对宫颈癌疾病的防控和HPV疫苗的接种推广起到积极作用。     

Bivalent AS04-adjuvanted HPV vaccine provides optimal cancer prevention for HPV types not included in the vaccine

All available HPV vaccines contain oncogenic types 16 and 18, most often found in HPV-related cancers and precursor lesions, but they differ in their valence and adjuvant potency. The quadri- and nonavalent HPV vaccines both contain additional types 6 and 11, related to anogenital warts, while the nonavalent vaccine contains another five types that are less frequently found in cancers. The bivalent vaccine is adjuvanted by AS04. Phase-III randomised controlled trials and population-based studies on bi- and quadrivalent vaccines suggest that the two vaccines when administered to HPV-naive persons, are optimally effective in preventing cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia grade 3 or greater, caused by types 16 or 18 (specific protection). In addition, the bivalent vaccine, but not the quadrivalent vaccine, cross-protects against HPV types not contained in the vaccine. The advantage of the quadrivalent vaccine to provide additional protection against anogenital warts, should not be traded for a lower overall efficacy in preventing pre-cancerous lesions and eventually cancer.     

甘肃宫颈癌高发区女性HPV及其疫苗认知状况调查

目的调查甘肃省宫颈癌高发地区陇南市武都区女性对人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）的认知及对HPV疫苗接种的态度情况。方法采用随机整群抽样的方法抽取武都区2个乡,其中符合筛选条件的30—49岁女性1681人,使用问卷调查女性对HPV认知情况和接种HPV疫苗的态度。结果接受调查女性中1585人（94．29％）没有听说过HPV,但有1584人（94．23％）愿意接受HPV疫苗接种;40岁以下人群对HPV疫苗接种的接受程度明显高于40岁以上人群（P〈0．01）;女性对HPV知晓率与所受教育程度和家庭收入呈正相关（P〈0．01）;调查女性不愿意接种HPV疫苗的原因主要是对宫颈癌的风险意识不足;调查人群中有637人愿意接受医疗机构提供的HPV疫苗,972人接受政府提供的,两项合计占总调查人数的95．71％;有74．84％的人希望国家能够负担部分接种HPV疫苗的费用;本次调查女性中有131人（7．79％）HPV检测呈阳性,HPV感染与未感染女性在HPV认知及其疫苗相关态度调查结果基本一致。结论甘肃省陇南市武都区女性缺乏对宫颈癌和HPV的认知,但是对HPV疫苗的信任和接受程度很高,因此急需通过多种方式加强对陇南地区女性宫颈癌相关科普知识的普及以及改善当地居民生活水平。     

Preparing for HPV vaccination in South Africa: key challenges and opinions

This article reports on qualitative research investigating key challenges and barriers towards human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine introduction in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. A total of 50 in-depth interviews and 6 focus groups were conducted at policy, health service and community levels of enquiry. Respondents expressed overall support for the HPV vaccine, underscored by difficulties associated with the current cervical screening programmes and the burgeoning HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa. Overall poor community knowledge of cervical cancer and the causal relationship between HPV and cervical cancer suggests the need for continued education around the importance of regular cervical screening. The optimal target populations for HPV vaccination was influenced by the perceived median age of sexual activity in South African girls (9-15 years), with an underlying concern that high levels of sexual abuse had significantly decreased the age of sexual exposure suggesting vaccination should commence as early as 9 years. Vaccination through schools with the involvement of other stakeholders such as sexual and reproductive health and the advanced programme on immunization (EPI) were suggested. Opposition to the HPV vaccine was not anticipated if the vaccine was marketed as preventing cervical cancer rather than a sexually transmitted infection. The findings assist in identifying potential barriers and facilitating factors towards HPV vaccines and will inform the development of policy and programs to support HPV vaccination introduction in South Africa and other African countries.     

Acceptance of the HPV vaccine among women,parents, community leaders,and healthcare providers in Ohio Appalachia

To assess HPV vaccine acceptability, focus groups of women (18–26 years), parents, community leaders, and healthcare providers were conducted throughout Ohio Appalachia. Themes that emerged among the 23 focus groups (n = 114) about the HPV vaccine were: barriers (general health and vaccine specific), lack of knowledge (cervical cancer and HPV), cultural attitudes, and suggestions for educational materials and programs. Important Appalachian attitudes included strong family ties, privacy, conservative views, and lack of trust of outsiders to the region. There are differences in HPV vaccine acceptability among different types of community members highlighting the need for a range of HPV vaccine educational materials/programs to be developed that are inclusive of the Appalachian culture.     

High-risk HPV prevalence among women undergoing cervical cancer screening: Findings a decade after HPV vaccine implementation in British Columbia,Canada

BackgroundBritish Columbia (BC) introduced a publicly funded, school-based human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization program in 2008 with the quadrivalent vaccine. In 2010/2011, a baseline evaluation of HPV prevalence was conducted among women undergoing cervical cancer screening. After 10 years of publicly funded HPV vaccination, HPV-type prevalence was re-evaluated.MethodsFrom August 2017 to March 2018, 1107 physicians were invited to return cytobrushes used during routine Pap screening to the Cervical Cancer Screening Laboratory for HPV testing. Only age or year of birth was collected. Specimens were screened for high-risk HPV (hrHPV) and positive samples were genotyped. HPV type prevalence was compared for females 15–22 yrs (those eligible for the school-based vaccination) and 23+ yrs (ineligible for school-based vaccination) for the 2010/2011 and the 2017/2018 data.ResultsThere were 3309 valid samples received for testing; of these, 3107 were included in the analysis. The overall hrHPV prevalence was 12.2% (95% CI 11.3–13.3) in 2010/11, and 12.0% (95% CI 10.9–13.2) in 2017/18. For the 15–22 age group, the prevalence for any hrHPV was 26.8% (95% CI 23.1–30.8) in 2010/11 and 25.4% (95% CI 15.3–37.9) in 2017/18. For those aged 15–22, HPV16 prevalence in 2010/11 was 8.8% (95% CI 6.5–11.5) and in 2017/18 was 6.3% (95% CI 1.8–15.5), with corresponding figures for HPV18 3.7% (95% CI 2.3–5.7) and 0% (95% CI 0.0–5.7), respectively. For all hrHPV types, there were no statistically significant differences between the 2010/11 and 2017/18 periods.ConclusionsThis study illustrates the prevalence of hrHPV in BC over time in women undergoing cervical cancer screening, where an indication of a decline in HPV16/18 is seen in vaccine eligible women.     

Adolescents' awareness of HPV infections and attitudes towards HPV vaccination 3 years following the introduction of the HPV vaccine in Hungary

Hungary takes the fourth place regarding the incidence and the fifth regarding the mortality of cervical cancer among the member countries of the European Union, with 500 deaths due to this preventable illness and nearly 1200 new cases diagnosed every year. Although the vaccines have been available for 3 years, the estimated rate of the female population vaccinated against HPV is approximately 10% in the 12-26-year-age cohort. The aim of this study was to determine factors and motivations affecting the uptake of HPV vaccination among Hungarian adolescents. Examining the effects of some possible sociodemographic predictors (age and gender) and the exposure to health information on HPV vaccine acceptability were also focused on, as well as assessing the most trusted sources of information about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).A nationwide anonymous questionnaire survey with a sample of 1769 students attending public primary or secondary schools was organised by the authors in 16 Hungarian cities and towns. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).Adolescents’ awareness of HPV was relatively low. Only 35% of the participants reported they had heard about HPV prior to the survey. Almost 70% of the potentially affected study population had not heard about the vaccine previously. Every fourth student did not believe that vaccination against HPV can prevent cervical cancer. If the vaccination was available free of charge, almost 80% of respondents would request it, but in case they had to pay for it, this number would significantly decrease. Significantly better knowledge and also more positive attitudes towards HPV vaccination was found in relation to the number of information sources. The majority of respondents (62-83%) were open for further information about STDs. The main trusted mediators were school-health services (61.3%), education on health at school (49.2%), health professionals (42.2%) and electronic media (24.6%).Since Hungarian adolescent students expect guidance about STDs principally from school health education, an urgent need for well-designed, HPV-focused educational programmes emerges. Launching such programmes would be especially important for the adolescent population to increase their awareness of the risks associated with HPV infection thus reducing the high incidence of cervical cancer in Hungary in the future.     

Acceptance of and attitudes towards human papillomavirus vaccination in Japanese mothers of adolescent girls

To better understand how to achieve high uptake rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Japan, we investigated acceptance of and attitudes towards HPV vaccination in 2192 mothers of girls aged 11-14yrs. A school-based survey was conducted in five elementary and fourteen junior high schools in Sapporo, Japan. Responses from 862 participants were analyzed. Ninety-three percent of mothers would accept the vaccine for their daughter if free, but only 1.5% was willing to pay the minimum recommended price of ￥40,000. Vaccine acceptance was higher in mothers who had heard of HPV vaccine (adjusted odds ratio, aOR=2.58, confidence interval, CI=1.47-4.53), and who believed susceptibility to (aOR=2.30, CI=1.34-3.92) and severity of (aOR=3.73, CI=1.41-9.88) HPV to be high. Recommendations from a doctor (aOR=12.60, CI=7.06-21.48) and local health board (aOR=27.80, CI=13.88-55.86) were also positively associated with increased HPV vaccine acceptance. Concerns about side effects of both the HPV vaccine (aOR=0.03, CI=0.01-0.08) and routine childhood vaccines in general (aOR=0.11, CI=0.02-0.78) emerged as barriers to vaccination. Not participating in routine cervical screening also emerged as a deterrent (aOR=0.49, CI=0.27-0.91). While most mothers (66.8%) agreed that 10-14yr was an appropriate age for vaccination, a further 30.6% believed >15yr to be more appropriate. In conclusion, attitudes of Japanese mothers toward HPV vaccination are encouraging. While lower vaccine acceptance in mothers who do not undergo regular cervical screening needs further investigation, this study indicates that high uptake may be possible in a publically funded HPV vaccination program if physicians actively address safety concerns and justify why the vaccine is needed at a particular age.