Assessment of knowledge and attitudes of young uninsured women toward human papillomavirus vaccination and clinical trials.
OBJECTIVE
To assess knowledge and attitudes of young uninsured women toward human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and clinical trials.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Clinic-based sample in Brazil.


METHODS
A consecutive sample of 204 women aged 16 to 23 years, attending a public outpatient gynecological clinic.


METHODS
A questionnaire administered by in-person interview.


METHODS
Data on knowledge and attitudes towards HPV vaccination.


RESULTS
Overall, 72% of the respondents would enroll in a HPV vaccine trial, despite the fact that 69% of women were ignorant of what HPV may cause, and only 10% acknowledged that HPV might lead to cervical cancer. The need of a placebo arm (31%) and three vaccinations injections (26%) were the trial design characteristics most cited for deterring participation. Factors promoting participation were "careful/detailed consultations by the same physician" (92%), "access to more information on women's health" (84%), and "office visits on time" (79%); whereas "clinic too far from home" (36%), "fear of adverse events" (29%), and "gynecologic examination discomfort" (25%) were the most commonly reported reasons for not enrolling in a trial. Being sexually active, more than three lifetime sexual partners and perception of high risk for cervical cancer were predictors of participation in a HPV vaccine trial.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of HPV infection and cervical cancer is low in this urban, young population. Thus, when planning HPV vaccine trials, it is important to consider implementing educational programs to provide knowledge of the benefits of a preventive vaccine and information on the etiology of and risk factors for cervical cancer.
Moreira
Edson Duarte
ED
Núcleo de Apoio à Pesquisa, Associação Obras Sociais Irmã Dulce, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. edson@cpqgm.fiocruz.br
de Oliveira
Bruno Gusmão
BG
Neves
Raimundo Celestino Silva
RC
Costa
Sandra
S
Karic
Gisela
G
Filho
José Otávio Costa
JO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000523:psychology; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000276:immunology*; D014505:Urban Population; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014765:Viral Vaccines