title: HPV vaccination in Hong Kong: uptake and reasons for non-vaccination amongst Chinese adolescent girls.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aims to determine HPV vaccine uptake (≥ 1 dose) amongst adolescent girls in Hong Kong and to explore the reasons for non-acceptance of the vaccine.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1832 secondary school girls (15.5 ± 2.0 years) were randomly surveyed. Their HPV vaccine uptake was estimated, and their reasons for non-vaccination summarised.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 131 (7.2%, 95% CI: 6.0-8.4%) adolescent girls had received the HPV vaccine (≥ 1 dose). Vaccine uptake was positively associated with a higher maternal education level and locally born status. Amongst the non-vaccinated girls, 20.6% had never heard of or knew little about the vaccine, 20.2% 'did not know where to receive', and 17.8% were concerned about the cost.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HPV vaccine uptake amongst adolescent girls in Hong Kong is very low. A school-based education and service programme is needed to improve uptake and prevent disparities in the Chinese population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong (HKU), Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Sophia Ling
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yu Lung
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Tai Hing
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Paul Siu Fai
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.forename: Susan Yun Sun
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ip
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D044466:Asian People; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
keywords: Adolescent girls; Chinese; Human papillomavirus; Social disparity; Vaccination