Vaccine Hesitancy Drives Low Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Coverage in Girls Attending Public Schools in South Africa

Human papillomavirus vaccination in rural Malawi: Identifying factors associated with vaccine uptake using a community-based household survey

Uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is suboptimal globally. Effective interventions are needed to meet the global goal of vaccinating 90% of girls against HPV, and this requires a robust understanding of barriers to vaccine uptake. Using a household survey in three communities of Malawi with parents/guardians of girls aged 9-13 years, we collected and analyzed data about intervention-amenable factors hypothesized to be associated with girls' HPV vaccination status. The 299 parent/guardian respondents provided information on 382 girls aged 9-13 years, of whom 39.0% (n = 149) had received ≥ 1 dose of the HPV vaccine. More than half of parents/guardians were concerned about the HPV vaccine's safety. Greater HPV vaccine hesitancy was associated with having an unvaccinated daughter in adjusted multilevel models (aOR 0.69 [95% CI 0.50-0.93]). Higher odds of being vaccinated were found among daughters of respondents with greater knowledge about the HPV vaccine and who knew someone who had cervical cancer. Speaking with more people about cervical cancer/HPV vaccination, and perceiving that other parents are vaccinating their daughters against HPV, were strongly associated with daughters' HPV vaccination status (aOR 2.03 [95% CI 1.59-2.62] and 3.68 [95% CI 1.97-7.18, respectively). Most parents/guardians had not experienced, or did not anticipate experiencing, challenges accessing HPV vaccination services, but those who did also had daughters with lower odds of vaccination. Interventions that leverage social networks and norms, increase confidence in the vaccine's safety, and work to improve access to HPV vaccination services, may increase coverage of the HPV vaccine in Malawi.

HPV Vaccine Hesitancy and Uptake: A Conceptual Analysis Using Rodgers' Evolutionary Approach

AIM

This study examines the factors contributing to HPV vaccine hesitancy using Rodgers's evolutionary concept analysis, focusing on the impact of uncertainties about the vaccine on HPV-related diseases despite its availability.

DESIGN

Rodgers's evolutionary concept analysis was applied to explore factors leading to HPV vaccine hesitancy. The analysis included studies published in English over the past 5 years. Exclusions were studies older than 5 years, non-English publications, and those focusing on other vaccines.

DATA SOURCES

A comprehensive literature review was conducted using key databases such as PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PubMed. Relevant keywords included 'HPV' and 'vaccine hesitancy' to ensure thoroughness.

REVIEW METHODS

Studies were selected based on their relevance to HPV vaccine hesitancy. Factors contributing to hesitancy were analysed, focusing on antecedents, attributes, and consequences.

RESULTS

The analysis identified key antecedents to HPV vaccine hesitancy, including false cultural beliefs, educational level, knowledge, and vaccine availability. Additional factors were insurance/income, perceived risk, and decision-making processes. Key attributes impacting hesitancy included media coverage, environmental and community influences, social factors, trust in healthcare systems, efficacy rates, and safety concerns. The consequences of hesitancy were reduced vaccine uptake, increased HPV-related diseases, and the spread of misinformation.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights the complex interplay of factors contributing to HPV vaccine hesitancy. Understanding these factors is crucial for addressing the challenges posed by vaccine hesitancy and developing effective interventions.

IMPACT

Insights from this analysis can guide public health strategies aimed at improving vaccine uptake and reducing HPV-related diseases. Targeted interventions can address misinformation and enhance trust in vaccines, ultimately leading to better public health outcomes.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

This concept analysis was conducted without the involvement of patients, service users, caregivers, or members of the public.

Maintaining Immunizations for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in a Changing World

Immunization has saved an estimated 154 million lives over the past 50 years since the launch of the Essential (formerly Expanded) Program on Immunization in 1974, representing 6 lives saved every minute, every year, for 50 years. But achieving and maintaining high immunization coverage have required sustained political and public commitment, financial resources, strong partnerships, research and innovation, and communication and advocacy. New and evolving challenges to maintaining high immunization coverage have emerged alongside long-standing stubborn obstacles. We review some of these key challenges to immunization in this dynamic, changing world and summarize some promising solutions. Success in some regions of the world in eliminating polio, measles, and rubella, and reducing morbidity and mortality from other vaccine-preventable diseases, should provide hope that progress can be made in achieving and maintaining high immunization coverage. We cannot afford to do otherwise.

Vaccine stock-outs: A preventable health facility obstacle contributing to missed vaccinations in South African children

In 2019 the National Department of Health (NDoH) conducted a national immunisation coverage survey of caregivers of children aged 24-35 months in all 52 districts of South Africa, and reported a national fully immunised under one year-old coverage of 83.9 %, and 76.8 % coverage for all vaccines scheduled up to 18 months of age. This retrospective, descriptive study was a secondary data analysis of 3576 validated Microsoft Excel® records containing the reasons for missed vaccinations collected by field workers during the 2019 national survey. The reason "vaccine out of stock" had been captured by field workers from children's vaccination cards, while other reasons given by caregivers had been captured either as pre-defined codes or free text. Free text reasons were analysed and additional codes created, and all reasons were categorised. In total, 3576 caregivers gave 8116 reasons for 8056 doses that had been missed by their children. Reasons related to health facility obstacles (HFOs) (67.9 %; 2429/3576) and personal obstacles (34.6 %; 1237/3576) constituted the major categories of reasons for missed vaccinations. Of all vaccines missed because of HFO-related reasons, 57.8 % (1403/2429) were missed because of vaccine stock-outs, affecting 39.2 % (1403/3576) of children. Other important HFOs included lack of access to vaccination services (24.5 %; 595/2429); and information about missed vaccinations and the need to return for catch-up not being shared with caregivers (17.1 %; 416/2429). These results were stratified by district and shared with the NDoH, who have initiated several projects in collaboration with other stakeholders, focusing mainly on building capacity for effective vaccine management to prevent vaccine stock-outs, and ensuring that all children are able to access vaccination services. The results of this study can be used as a baseline against which the success of future interventions emanating from these projects can be measured.

Human papillomavirus vaccination hesitancy among young girls in Ethiopia: factors and barriers to uptake

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations protect against HPV infections. The infection might lead to vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, genital warts, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia lesions, and cervical cancer. This study assessed hesitancy of HPV vaccination, associated factors, and barriers to vaccination among youth girls in Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among female undergraduate students at the University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, between July and August 2022. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. A simple random sampling method was used to recruit participants. The data were entered and analyzed with SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the participants' demographic characteristics. Logistic regression was performed to identify the significant factors associated with acceptance of the HPV vaccine. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The study included 423 participants with a mean age of 22.5 ± 6.7 years. Only more than one-third (35.2, 95% CI: 27.2-44.1) received the HPV vaccine. Currently, more than one-fourth (27.9, 95% Cl: 21.4-33.8) of participants are hesitant to receive the HPV vaccine. Higher monthly income (AOR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.08-6.34), good knowledge of the HPV vaccine (AOR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.12-4.87), and a positive attitude towards the vaccine (AOR = 3.03, 95% CI: 1.63-9.56) were significantly associated with acceptance of HPV vaccination. Safety concerns (63.1%), misinformation (42.8%), and parental concerns (42.3%) about the HPV vaccine were among the top perceived reported barriers to receiving the HPV vaccine.

Conclusion

This result showed that more than a quarter number of youth girls are still hesitant to receive HPV vaccinations. To increase vaccination acceptance, interventions should focus on awareness-raising programs about HPV infection and vaccines and addressing safety and parental concerns.

Parental willingness of HPV vaccination in Mainland China: A meta-analysis

This meta-analysis aimed to systematically review and analyze parental awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) and its vaccine, as well as parental willingness of the HPV vaccine in China. The literature search selected studies that met the following criteria: study published between 2009 and 2023, study design involving parents with at least one child aged ≤ 18 years, sample sizes exceeding 300, availability of data on parental willingness of the HPV vaccine or sufficient information to calculate effect sizes, and studies published in either English or Chinese. Studies that did not meet one of the above points were excluded. From an initial pool of 660 papers, 33 studies were included, encompassing a total sample size of 92,802. The analysis revealed that the pooled awareness rates of HPV and the HPV vaccine among Chinese parents were 45.0% (95% CI: 36.1-54.0%) and 41.4% (95%CI: 30.7-52.5%), respectively. The overall parental willingness for vaccinating children against HPV was 61.0% (95% CI: 53.5-68.3%). Both parental awareness and willingness of the HPV vaccine in China were found to remain low when compared to other countries.

Factors influencing HPV vaccine hesitancy among university students in China: A cross-sectional survey utilizing the 3Cs model

The HPV vaccine, which has been demonstrated to be an effective method of reducing the risk of developing cervical cancer, is still being underutilized among college students in China. To assess the current status of HPV vaccine hesitancy among college students in Guangdong Province after the COVID-19 outbreak, and to systematically analyze the influencing factors of HPV vaccine hesitancy and construct a prediction model based on the WHO 3Cs model. A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in June 2023 among female college students in four cities in Guangdong Province. The data were analyzed using binary logistic regression with a focus on the 3Cs model: Complacency, Convenience, and Confidence. LASSO regression was employed to analyze the variables deemed to be of significance and to construct predictive models. Out of 1399 participants, 86.5% expressed no hesitancy toward HPV vaccination. However, 11.9% exhibited hesitancy, and 1.6% refused vaccination altogether. Factors such as trust in vaccine efficacy, perception of HPV infection risk, price considerations, and constraints like distance or time were significant contributors to hesitancy. Knowledge of the HPV vaccine, socio-demographic characteristics, and the educational level of participants' mothers also played a role in vaccine hesitancy. It is recommended that targeted interventions be implemented within educational institutions with the aim of raising awareness of cervical cancer and HPV vaccines, simplifying the scheduling of vaccination appointments, and increasing affordability through the implementation of strategic purchasing measures or subsidy schemes.

Vaccination Communication Strategies and Uptake in Africa: A Systematic Review

Background: African countries experience high rates of infectious diseases that are mostly preventable by vaccination. Despite the risks of infections and other adverse outcomes, vaccination coverage in the African region remains significantly low. Poor vaccination knowledge is a contributory factor, and effective communication is crucial to bridging the vaccination uptake gap. This review summarises vaccination communication strategies adopted across African countries and associated changes in vaccine uptake. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in five bibliographic databases between 2000 and 2023 and supplemented with an additional Google Scholar search. Studies with data on vaccination communication and uptake in the English language were considered. A narrative synthesis was performed, and findings were presented in text and tables. Findings: Forty-one studies from fourteen African countries met the inclusion criteria. Several communication strategies were implemented for 13 different vaccines, mainly childhood vaccines. Mass campaigns and capacity building were the most common strategies for the public and health workers, respectively. Community-based strategies using social mobilisation effectively complemented other communication strategies.Overall, vaccination uptake increased in all countries following vaccination communication interventions. Barriers and facilitators to optimising vaccination communication at systemic and individual levels were also identified. Key barriers included lack of vaccine information, access issues, and high cost, while facilitators included improved vaccine education, reminders, trust-building initiatives, and community involvement. Conclusions: This review highlights effective vaccination communication strategies implemented across Africa as well as systemic and individual barriers and facilitators influencing vaccination uptake. The findings can inform strategies for vaccination communication and campaign planning to improve vaccination coverage in Africa.

Relationship between vaccine hesitancy and vaccination behaviors: Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

BACKGROUND

Vaccination is crucial for prevention of infectious diseases, and identification of the impact of vaccine hesitancy on vaccination programs is crucial for early intervention and formulation of policies to alleviate vaccine hesitancy. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the relationship between vaccine hesitancy and negative vaccination behavior globally.

METHODS

We searched for observational studies in various databases. We conducted a meta-analysis using pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI), performed meta regression and subgroup analysis to explore the role factors such as location and individual characteristics on the association between vaccine hesitancy and vaccination behavior.

RESULTS

A total of 46 articles were included in systematic analysis and 34 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The systematic analysis comprised 162,601 samples, whereas the meta-analysis included 147,554 samples. The meta-analysis showed that a higher rate of vaccine hesitancy was associated with an increased likelihood of adverse vaccination behaviors (all adverse behaviors: OR = 1.50, 95 % CI, 1.33-1.70, P < 0.001; unvaccinated: OR = 1.48, 95 % CI, 1.29-1.70, P < 0.001; vaccine delay: OR = 2.61, 95 % CI, 1.97-3.44, P < 0.001). The meta-regression results indicated that the heterogeneity observed was mainly from sample selection methods, age of vaccinees and the health status of participants. The results showed that parents of minor vaccinees or without high-risk health status had a higher association between vaccine hesitancy and vaccine uptake compared with populations exposed to higher health risks or adult vaccinees.

CONCLUSION

The findings provide evidence on the association between vaccine hesitancy and adverse vaccination behaviors. The results showed that these population-specific factors should be considered in future research, and during formulation of interventions and implementation of policies to improve vaccination uptake.

Public School Adolescents Had Increased Odds of Being Willing to Uptake HPV Vaccinations Owing to Sociodemographic and Healthcare Access Features in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia

Background

Cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent and fatal malignancies in women worldwide. Despite the fact that vaccination is an effective method in reducing cervical cancer, its uptake varies between public and private school adolescents and remains a challenge in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. Empirical evidence on how much variation there is among public and private school adolescent in their willingness to uptake human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is also limited. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare levels of willingness to uptake HPV vaccination among public and private school female adolescents and associated factors in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia.

Methods

A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 844 adolescents aged 10 to 19 in primary schools in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Multistage sampling was used. A self-administered, structured, and pretested questionnaire was used to collect data. The determinants of willingness to accept HPV vaccination were identified using logistic regression, and exploratory factor analyses were performed to determine load and mean. The level of statistical significance was determined using a P - value of 0.05.

Results

The overall proportion of willing to uptake HPV vaccination was 50.6% (95% CI: 47.4-54), whereas in public and private primary schools, the magnitude was 61% (95% CI: 56.3-65.4%) and 40.2% (95% CI: 35.6-44.9), respectively. In terms of willingness to uptake HPV vaccination, the odds were likely to be significantly higher among those whose mothers had a postsecondary education (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.29-3.05), a high cue to action (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.20-3.05), and high self-efficacy (AOR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.58-3.48). High perceived barriers likely decreased the willingness to uptake HPV vaccination (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.34-0.70).

Conclusion

Adolescent girls in public primary schools were more likely to uptake HPV vaccination than those in private provided that income status and socioeconomic factors became less important. Willingness to uptake HPV vaccination was found to be low as compared to the WHO target for Ethiopian context and was influenced by maternal education status, perceived barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy. As a result, greater emphasis should be placed on implementing a school-based and maternal educational program on cervical cancer prevention and control focusing on the behavioral contexts.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards HPV vaccination among reproductive age women in a HIV hotspot in the US

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the US, responsible for cervical cancer and increased risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) acquisition. Despite an effective HPV vaccine, women's HPV vaccination coverage and rates remain far below desired levels. This study aimed to evaluate HPV knowledge, attitudes, and vaccination practices as well as factors associated with HPV vaccination among women of reproductive age living in Miami, Florida, a Southern US city with a high incidence of STIs and low HPV vaccination coverage.

METHODS

From April to June 2022, 100 HIV-negative, cisgender, sexually active women aged 18-45 years were recruited from the Miami community. Participants completed validated questionnaires using REDCap© electronic surveys, assessing socio-demographics and sexual behaviors; HPV knowledge, screening, vaccination practices; barriers and motivators to HPV vaccination. A cumulative HPV knowledge score (HPV score) was generated. Factors associated with HPV vaccination were analyzed by Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, studentized t-test, and multivariate logistic regression (MLR).

RESULTS

A total of 100 participants were enrolled, and 84 who knew their vaccination status were included in the analysis. Of these, 43 reported receiving at least 1 HPV vaccine dose (vaccinated group) and 41 reported never being vaccinated (unvaccinated group). Mean age was 24.7 (SD 4.03) years for the vaccinated group and 31.4 (SD 8.33) for the unvaccinated group. Mean HPV score was 18.9/29 (SD 6.05) for the vaccinated group and 9.1/29 (SD 8.82) for the unvaccinated group. Amongst vaccinated participants, 76.74% reported a history of HPV/Pap smear screening vs 87.80% in the unvaccinated group. Barriers to HPV vaccination included: 14.6% low-risk perception, 29.3% healthcare barriers, and 46.3% vaccine hesitancy and personal beliefs. Motivators t HPV vaccination included: risk perception and vaccine beliefs (71.42%), healthcare-related (60.71%) and social motivators (55.95%). In the first MLR, one-point increases in HPV score were significantly associated with higher odds of HPV vaccination until an HPV score of 16, and a one-year increase in age was associated with a 16% lower odds of HPV vaccination (aOR = 0.84, 95% CI [0.72, 0.99]; p = 0.035). Contraception use was also associated with HPV vaccination (aOR 8.36 (95% CI [1.41, 49.62]; p = 0.020). Race, ethnicity, college education status, and number of sexual partners were not significant predictors of HPV vaccination. In the second MLR evaluating vaccination motivators as predictors of HPV vaccination, we found that individuals who were motivated by healthcare had 3.03 (95% CI [1.02, 9.00]; p = 0.046) times the odds of HPV vaccination compared to individuals without healthcare-related motivators.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest suboptimal HPV knowledge and low vaccination rates among women of reproductive age. Public health efforts should focus on increasing basic HPV knowledge among women with little-to-no HPV knowledge to increase vaccine uptake.