title: The acceptability of HPV vaccination among women attending the University of Saskatchewan Student Health Services.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Women attending the University of Saskatchewan Student Health Services are being offered human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination but are not filling their prescriptions. We sought to identify gaps in knowledge of the link between HPV infection, cervical dysplasia, and cervical cancer among women attending the Student Health Services, and to identify barriers to HPV vaccination among this cohort of women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women attending the University of Saskatchewan Student Health Services for any reason were invited to complete an 18-question survey. The survey included questions regarding knowledge of the purpose of Pap smears, the role of HPV infection in cervical dysplasia and cancer, and HPV vaccination. The questions were designed to elicit both quantitative and qualitative data. Data analysis included basic descriptive analysis and summarization of qualitative data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred surveys were distributed, and 371 (91%) were returned. Eighty-two percent of participants were aware of the HPV vaccine, and 40% ranked their knowledge of HPV as good or very good; however, only 6% correctly answered questions about methods of preventing HPV infection. Participants identified cost (62%), concerns over adverse effects (43%), and lack of knowledge (36%) as barriers to undergoing vaccination. Comments about the HPV vaccine reflected frustration with cost and concerns about adverse effects. When participants were asked if they would undergo vaccination if it were free, 60% responded "yes," 31% responded "maybe," and 8% responded "no."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The young women in our survey had significant gaps in knowledge of HPV infection and prevention, and educational programs must be structured to address these deficits. Institutions promoting vaccination must deal with the barriers of cost and fear of adverse effects.
authors: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK.
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Giede
authors: Laura Lee
authors: LL
authors: McFadden
authors: Pam
authors: P
authors: Komonoski
authors: Anita
authors: A
authors: Agrawal
authors: Ardelle
authors: A
authors: Stauffer
authors: Roger
authors: R
authors: Pierson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012525:Saskatchewan; D013333:Student Health Services; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines