HPV vaccine knowledge and beliefs among Cambodian American parents and community leaders.
BACKGROUND
The cervical cancer incidence rate among Cambodian American women is 15.0 per 100,000, compared to 7.7 per 100,000 among non-Latina white women. HPV infection has been identified as a universal risk factor for cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine was recently approved in the United States for females aged 9-26 years. There is little information about HPV vaccination knowledge and beliefs in Southeast Asian communities.


METHODS
We conducted 13 key informant interviews with Cambodian community leaders, as well as four focus groups with Cambodian parents (37 participants). Two of the focus groups included fathers and two of the focus groups included mothers. Interview and focus group questions addressed HPV vaccine barriers and facilitators.


RESULTS
Participants had limited knowledge about HPV infection and the HPV vaccine. Barriers to HPV vaccination included a lack of information about the vaccine, as well as concerns about vaccine safety, effectiveness, and financial costs. The most important facilitators were a health care provider recommendation for vaccination and believing in the importance of disease prevention.


CONCLUSIONS
Future cervical cancer control educational programs for Cambodians should promote use of the HPV vaccine for age-eligible individuals. Health care providers who serve Cambodian communities should be encouraged to recommend HPV vaccination.
Do
Hoai
H
Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
Seng
Paularita
P
Talbot
Jocelyn
J
Acorda
Elizabeth
E
Coronado
Gloria D
GD
Taylor
Victoria M
VM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002160:Cambodia; D002648:Child; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000276:immunology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000821:virology; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010290:Parents; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D014481:United States; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000821:virology; D055815:Young Adult
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines