title: A survey of adolescent experiences of human papillomavirus vaccination in the Manchester study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is little information on girls' experiences of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in the prevention of cervical cancer. We investigated the views of adolescent girls who had been offered the vaccine as part of a feasibility study conducted in Manchester.
  
  
  METHODS
  All 12 to 13-year-old girls in two primary care trusts were offered three doses of Cervarix (manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline). A letter was sent to 1084 parents who had consented to research follow-up. It requested parents to pass a questionnaire regarding HPV vaccination to their daughters to complete and post back in a prepaid envelope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 553 girls completed the questionnaire. Altogether, 77% (422) had shared with their parents in the vaccine decision. In all, 42% (n=13) of girls, whose parents refused vaccination, stated that they wanted the vaccine, whereas 10% (50) of those who were vaccinated did not want the vaccine. Although 54% (277) said the vaccine was very important to them, 39% (153) of vaccinated girls thought they might not recommend it to others. The vaccine was perceived to be painful and there were exaggerated rumours of serious adverse events and needle scares. A total of 79% (420) of girls agreed with a statement that vaccination reminded them of the risks of sexual contact, but 14% (73) agreed they might take more sexual risks because they had been vaccinated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Girls of this age form their own views on HPV vaccination but parental support for vaccination remains important, especially for completing the three doses. By discussing the vaccine, parents can encourage their daughters to determine the importance and implications of HPV vaccination.
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Cancer and Imaging Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. loretta.brabin@manchester.ac.uk
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brabin
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stretch
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baxter
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Elton
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kitchener
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McCann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001290:Attitude; D002648:Child; D003657:Decision Making; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D010290:Parents; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines