Pilot Study

HPV Infection Knowledge & HPV Vaccine Acceptance among Women Residing in Ciudad Juárez, México

Abstract

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STI) in the world and it is associated with cervical cancer. The development of a prophylactic HPV vaccine has proven effective in clinical trials and it is now available to the public. The HPV vaccine represents a viable prevention strategy against cervical cancer. However, parental preferences, perceptions, and willingness to use the HPV vaccine are crucial, and if not assessed accurately, may threaten the successful implementation of a broad HPV vaccination program. This pilot study explored the views of 60 adult, Mexican women, all of who were mothers of female children between the ages of ten to 14 years old on the following four areas of interest: HPV knowledge; HPV vaccine knowledge and attitudes; barriers to HPV vaccine use; and potential uses and side effects of the HPV vaccine. Only 7% of respondents knew that HPV was a virus or STI. Eighty-six percent had not heard of the HPV vaccine, but 62% felt that the HPV vaccine would prevent HPV infection. However, 38% said the church would not approve of the HPV vaccine use for 10-14-year-old girls. Twenty-seven percent thought that promiscuous behavior would increase following HPV vaccination. Overall, respondents had very little knowledge of the HPV vaccine, were willing to be vaccinated themselves (83%), but were lesser willing to vaccinate their daughters (63%). Ultimately, understanding the beliefs about and identifying the barriers of HPV vaccine use will influence the effectiveness of the vaccine and its potential impact in reducing cervical cancer incidence rates worldwide.