Discussions of adolescent sexuality in news media coverage of the HPV vaccine.
Given the sexually transmitted nature of human papillomavirus (HPV), some worry the HPV vaccine will create a false sense of security and promote adolescent sexual activity. Media coverage of vaccines can influence social norms, parental attitudes, and vaccine acceptance; in this paper we examine U.S. news media messages related to sexuality and HPV vaccination. Drawing on a structured analysis of 447 articles published during 2005-2009, we qualitatively analyzed a purposive sample of 49 articles discussing adolescent health behaviors related to HPV vaccination. Commonly, articles discussed vaccination in the context of abstinence-only versus comprehensive sexual health education; cited research findings to support vaccination or sex education; argued against connecting vaccination to promiscuous behavior; but included fear-inducing messages. Media messages concerning health behaviors related to HPV vaccination tended to support government and parental involvement in sex education, and dismiss concerns linking vaccination to sexual activity, while also presenting the vaccine as lifesaving.
Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Electronic address: danacasciotti@yahoo.com.
Dana M
DM
Casciotti
Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Room 726, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Electronic address: kasmith@jhsph.edu.
Katherine C
KC
Smith
Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, N. Wolfe Street, Room W4041, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Electronic address: atsui@jhsph.edu.
Amy
A
Tsui
Department of Community Health and Prevention, Drexel University School of Public Health, 3215 Market Street, Room 435, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: ack57@drexel.edu.
Ann C
AC
Klassen
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D005260:Female; D000068857:Human Papillomavirus Recombinant Vaccine Quadrivalent, Types 6, 11, 16, 18; D006801:Humans; D018156:Journalism, Medical; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D012736:Sex Education; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019529:Sexuality; D014481:United States
D000068857:Human Papillomavirus Recombinant Vaccine Quadrivalent, Types 6, 11, 16, 18; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; C510352:human papillomavirus vaccine, L1 type 16, 18
Health communication; News media; Sexual activity; Vaccination