Analysis of Parents' Attitudes and Knowledge toward Immunization and How These Factors Influence Their Decisions to Vaccinate Their Children against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Improving HPV-related health literacy in the Austrian population - A participatory research approach

Human papilloma virus (HPV) infections are widespread and affect a main part of the population. Long-term risks of such infections include the development of HPV-induced cancers. Although available, preventive measures are not utilized by the Austrian population to their fullest extent. Only 40% of all Austrians have completed the vaccination programme and only 46% are aware of HPV. This may be attributed to a lack of awareness or an ineffective approach in disseminating information to raise awareness about this health issue. Our aim was to determine which knowledge on HPV infections and vaccinations is present in the Austrian population and to identify the preferred mode of communication for receiving information on health-related issues, including HPV. This objective was implemented in the context of a participatory research project together with citizen scientists, whereby a target group-oriented survey was developed. Data from 889 survey participants, analyzed with descriptive statistics, demonstrated significant gender- and age-related differences in HPV knowledge and information-seeking behavior. Men and individuals under 18 were significantly less informed, especially regarding transmission routes and HPV-related diseases. Women were more aware of the vaccine's benefits and have higher vaccination rates. The use of clear, concise content and personal stories can foster engagement and address misperceptions. Customized HPV awareness campaigns and an integration of HPV education into school curricula should be implemented to facilitate early knowledge acquisition and vaccination uptake.

Socioeconomic disparities in HPV vaccine uptake: multivariable analysis of vaccination data from Tianjin (2018-2023)

Objectives

As the first socio-demographic profiling of HPV vaccines in Chinese cities, this study assesses equity implications through compositional analysis of covered populations, with multilevel examination of vaccine-type selection determinants.

Method

Utilizing HPV vaccination data obtained from the Jinnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spanning from 2018 to 2023, we conducted a retrospective analysis. Hierarchical logistic regression was employed to model the joint effects of age, ethnicity, occupation, and urban-rural residence on vaccination behaviors. Vaccine type preference was categorized as bivalent, quadrivalent, or nonavalent.

Result

Three key disparities were revealed in the analysis. Age-stratified access revealed the highest proportion of recipients among women aged 33-38 years (29.6%) and 39-44 years (21.9%), contrasting with less than 1% participation in the 9-14 year-old cohort. Educationally, 87.3% held at least a bachelor's degree, compared to 12.7% with below-college education (χ 2 = 6048.89, p < 0.001). Clear urban-rural divide, with 99.7% of recipients in urban areas and just 0.3% in rural areas (χ 2 = 76.79, p < 0.001). Vaccine-type selection showed socioeconomic patterns, with nonavalent vaccines preferred by urban professionals (OR = 1.577, 95% CI: 1.16-2.142) and those with incomes above 5000 yuan (OR = 1.958, 95% CI: 0.26-3.527).

Conclusion

Demonstrating Hart's Inverse Care Law, Tianjin's program disproportionately immunizes socioeconomically secure urbanites. We propose: (1) school-based mandates for pre-sexual debut cohorts; (2) rural vaccination-social insurance integration; (3) domestic 9-valent vaccine development with needs-based subsidies. These evidence-based reforms are critical for achieving equitable 90% coverage by 2030.

Attitudes and awareness related to cervical cancer vaccine

INTRODUCTION

Cervical cancer causes major morbidity and mortality around the world. This makes prophylactic vaccines a significant tool for preventing the disease. As these vaccines become more widely available, they have the potential to drastically lower the cancer's prevalence and burden in the future.

Trends in Mortality Due to Malignant Neoplasms of Female Genital Organs in Poland in the Period 2000-2021-A Population-Based Study

The aim of this study is to assess mortality trends due to malignant neoplasms of female genital organs (MNFGOs) in Poland between 2000 and 2021. For the purpose of the study, the authors used data on all deaths of Polish female inhabitants due to MNFGO between 2000 and 2021, obtained from the Statistics Poland database. The standardised death rates (SDR), potential years of life lost (PYLL), annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) were calculated. Between the years 2000 and 2021, 138,000 women died due to MNFGOs in Poland. Of this number, 54,975 (39.8%) deaths were caused by ovarian cancer, 37,487 (27.2%) by cervix uteri cancer, and 26,231 (19.0%) by corpus uteri cancer. A decrease in mortality due to cervix uteri cancer (APC = -2.4%, p < 0.05) was the most favourable change that occurred in the period 2000-2021, while the least favourable change was an increase in mortality due to corpus uteri cancer for the period 2005-2019 (APC = 5.0%, p < 0.05). SDRs due to ovarian cancer showed a decreasing trend between 2007 and 2021 (APC = -0.5%, p < 0.05). The standardised PYLL index due to cervical cancer was 167.7 per 100,000 women in 2000 and decreased to 75.0 in 2021 (AAPC = -3.7, p < 0.05). The number of lost years of life due to ovarian cancer decreased from 143.8 in 2000 to 109.5 in 2021 (AAPC = -1.3, p < 0.05). High values of death rates due to MNFGO in Poland, compared to other European countries, show that there is a need to promote preventive programmes and continue to monitor changes in mortality.