title: Human papillomavirus vaccine acceptability among female undergraduate students in China: the role of knowledge and psychosocial factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine young women's perceptions and acceptability of human papillomavirus vaccination and factors influencing acceptability in mainland China.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In the light of current concepts, human papillomavirus vaccines serve as new paradigms in cervical cancer prevention programme for young women. However, knowledge and acceptability of human papillomavirus vaccination and factors influencing acceptability among young Chinese women are not known.
  
  
  METHODS
  We implemented a cross-sectional descriptive study in the Hunan province of China.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and seventeen female undergraduate students completed confidential surveys in 2012. The questionnaire included five parts: background information, awareness and knowledge of human papillomavirus vaccine and cervical cancer, attitudes towards the vaccine and intentions to be vaccinated, psychosocial burden of human papillomavirus infection, and human papillomavirus-related sexual stigma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 44% of the participants were willing to be vaccinated in the future. Young women demonstrated low awareness and knowledge about human papillomavirus vaccine and cervical cancer. Their intention to receive future vaccination was associated with the high levels of knowledge about risk factors for cervical cancer and perceptions that infected women are responsible for their own infection of human papillomavirus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest low awareness and knowledge among young Chinese women about the preventive nature and value of human papillomavirus vaccination. Social and cultural factors including moral obligation and STD-related stigma may influence young women's intention to future vaccination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Educational interventions are necessary to promote public awareness and deliver information about human papillomavirus vaccination and cervical cancer prevention. Results of this study can help health care practitioners develop appropriate programmes for the promotion of human papillomavirus vaccination among this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.|Xiang-Ya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Can
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Niccolai
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Third Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Shengbo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Xiang-Ya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Xiuhua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Lijian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tao
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D014611:Vaccination; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
keywords: Chinese; acceptability; human papillomavirus vaccine; knowledge; psychosocial factors; undergraduate student