Young adults and acceptance of the human papillomavirus vaccine.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether young Dutch adults had ever heard of human papillomavirus (HPV) and whether they would accept vaccination, and to assess the factors influencing their decision.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Six hundred participants aged 18-25 years were recruited from two university departments and one non-university technical college.


RESULTS
One hundred and six (17.7%) participants had heard of HPV and 536 (94%) had heard of cervical carcinoma. Women had significantly more knowledge of cervical carcinoma than men. A medical education, knowledge of HPV, knowledge of cervical cancer and knowledge of the cervical screening programme were not significantly associated with acceptance of HPV vaccination, whereas gender and age did show a significant relationship. In total, 61% of the female participants and 48% of the male participants were willing to accept a 'catch-up' HPV vaccination.


CONCLUSIONS
This study found that average knowledge levels of HPV and cervical cancer were low. Despite this lack of knowledge, a small majority of the study population would accept a 'catch-up' HPV vaccination. Women and younger participants were significantly more willing to accept HPV vaccination. However, in these subgroups, acceptance of HPV vaccination seems to be affected by other, still unidentified, factors. These factors could be evaluated in a more qualitative orientated study. An educational campaign is needed to cover knowledge about HPV and cervical carcinoma, and beliefs and behaviours associated with the acceptance of vaccination.
Lenselink
C H
CH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. c.lenselink@obgyn.umcn.nl
Schmeink
C E
CE
Melchers
W J G
WJ
Massuger
L F A G
LF
Hendriks
J C M
JC
van Hamont
D
D
Bekkers
R L M
RL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines