Human papilloma virus vaccination: perceptions of young Korean women.
OBJECTIVE
This paper is a report of a descriptive study of young Korean women's perceptions of use of the human papilloma virus vaccine.


BACKGROUND
In Korea, cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers in women, and the rate of human papilloma virus infection is increasing. A national media campaign has recently begun to promote human papilloma virus vaccination. However, research addressing the acceptability of this vaccine to women in Korea has been limited.


METHODS
Twenty-five Korean women, 21-30 years of age, participated in seven focus groups. The data were collected in 2007.


RESULTS
Participants were concerned about the potential harmful effects of the human papilloma virus vaccine, a possible increase in unsafe sexual behaviours, and the high cost of the vaccine, which is not covered by health insurance. They suggested group vaccination at-cost or free of charge. They discussed ambivalence about the vaccination, the need for more information about the vaccine, and questions about its effectiveness. Most preferred to wait until more people have been vaccinated.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need for more aggressive dissemination of information about the safety and efficacy of the human papilloma virus vaccine. More reasonable cost, insurance coverage, or free vaccination using a group approach might increase young Korean women's acceptance and use of the human papilloma virus vaccine.
Kang
Hee Sun
HS
Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, South Korea.
Shin
Hyunsook
H
Hyun
Myung-Sun
MS
Kim
Mi Ja
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013334:Students; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines