Beliefs about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) and acceptability of HPV vaccination among Chinese women in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the knowledge and beliefs on cervical cancer and HPV infection and to evaluate the acceptability of HPV vaccination among Chinese women.


METHODS
Seven focus groups were conducted with ethnic Chinese women aged 18-25 (n=20), 26-35 (n=13), and 36 and above (n=16) in a community women's health clinic in Hong Kong in 2006. The discussions were audio taped, transcribed and analyzed. Recurrent themes related to cervical cancer, HPV infection and vaccination were highlighted.


RESULTS
Diverse conceptions on likely causes of cervical cancer were noted, covering biological, psychological, environmental, lifestyle and sexual factors. Most women had not heard of HPV and its mode of transmission. The participants had difficulties understanding and accepting the linkage between cervical cancer and the sexually transmitted HPV infection. HPV infection was seen as personally stigmatizing with significant adverse impact on self-esteem and significant relationships. Participants favored HPV vaccination both for themselves and their teenage daughters if authoritative endorsement was provided.


CONCLUSIONS
Inadequate knowledge and misconceptions on cervical cancer and HPV were common. Most participants welcomed and favored having HPV vaccination. Apart from promoting HPV vaccination, cervical cancer prevention should also include strategies to promote knowledge and minimize the stigmatizing effect of a sexually transmitted HPV infection.
Lee
Peter W H
PW
Division of Clinical Health Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. hrmclwh@hku.hk
Kwan
Tracy T C
TT
Tam
Kar Fai
KF
Chan
Karen K L
KK
Young
Phyllis M C
PM
Lo
Sue S T
SS
Cheung
Annie N Y
AN
Ngan
Hextan Y S
HY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000276:immunology*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines