Preventing Chronic Disease | Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs About Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Among Puerto Rican Mothers and Daughters, 2010: A Qualitative Study - CDC
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs About Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Among Puerto Rican Mothers and Daughters, 2010: A Qualitative Study
María E. Fernández, PhD; Yen-Chi L. Le, PhD; Natalie Fernández-Espada, MS; William A. Calo, PhD; Lara S. Savas, PhD; Camille Vélez, MS; Angela Pattatucci Aragon, PhD; Vivian Colón-López, PhD
Suggested citation for this article: Fernández ME, Le YL, Fernández-Espada N, Calo WA, Savas LS, Vélez C, et al. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs About Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Among Puerto Rican Mothers and Daughters, 2010: A Qualitative Study. Prev Chronic Dis 2014;11:140171. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd11.140171
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Abstract
Introduction
The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer can be reduced by increasing vaccination for HPV. Yet vaccination uptake and completion of the 3-dose series remain low among Puerto Rican females. This study explored psychosocial factors associated with HPV vaccination uptake decisions among Puerto Rican mothers and daughters.
The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer can be reduced by increasing vaccination for HPV. Yet vaccination uptake and completion of the 3-dose series remain low among Puerto Rican females. This study explored psychosocial factors associated with HPV vaccination uptake decisions among Puerto Rican mothers and daughters.
Methods
We conducted 7 focus groups with young women aged 16 to 24 (n = 21) and their mothers (n = 9) to assess knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs related to cervical cancer, HPV, and HPV vaccination. We analyzed the focus group transcripts and identified themes by using a constant comparison method of qualitative data analysis and interpretation, guided by a grounded theory approach.
We conducted 7 focus groups with young women aged 16 to 24 (n = 21) and their mothers (n = 9) to assess knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs related to cervical cancer, HPV, and HPV vaccination. We analyzed the focus group transcripts and identified themes by using a constant comparison method of qualitative data analysis and interpretation, guided by a grounded theory approach.
Results
The analysis identified several emergent themes related to vaccine uptake: 1) low knowledge about cervical cancer, HPV, and the HPV vaccine; 2) inconsistent beliefs about susceptibility to HPV infection and cervical cancer; 3) vaccine effectiveness; 4) vaccine safety and side effects; 5) concerns that the vaccine promotes sexual disinhibition; and 6) availability of insurance coverage and overall cost of the vaccine.
The analysis identified several emergent themes related to vaccine uptake: 1) low knowledge about cervical cancer, HPV, and the HPV vaccine; 2) inconsistent beliefs about susceptibility to HPV infection and cervical cancer; 3) vaccine effectiveness; 4) vaccine safety and side effects; 5) concerns that the vaccine promotes sexual disinhibition; and 6) availability of insurance coverage and overall cost of the vaccine.
Conclusion
Our study found that adolescent girls and young women in Puerto Rico have low levels of knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer, low perceived susceptibility to HPV, and concerns about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, and these factors may influence uptake and completion of HPV vaccination. Interventions are needed for both mothers and daughters that address these psychosocial factors and increase access to vaccination.
Our study found that adolescent girls and young women in Puerto Rico have low levels of knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer, low perceived susceptibility to HPV, and concerns about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, and these factors may influence uptake and completion of HPV vaccination. Interventions are needed for both mothers and daughters that address these psychosocial factors and increase access to vaccination.
Acknowledgments
Research for this publication was supported by the National Cancer Institute grant no. U54CA96297 for the University of Puerto Rico/MD Anderson Cancer Center, Partners for Excellence in Cancer Research. W.A.C. was supported by NCI-sponsored pre- and postdoctoral cancer training programs R25CA057712 and R25CA116339. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the offıcial views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health.
Author Information
Corresponding Author: María E. Fernández, PhD, The University of Texas School of Public Health, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, 7000 Fannin UCT no. 2558, Houston, TX 77030. Telephone: 713-500-9626. E-mail: Maria.E.Fernandez@uth.tmc.edu.
Author Affiliations: Yen-Chi L. Le, Natalie Fernández-Espada, Lara S. Savas, The University of Texas School of Public Health, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, Houston, Texas; William A. Calo, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Camille Vélez, Angela Pattatucci Aragon, Vivian Colón-López, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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