Understanding young adults' perceptions regarding human papillomavirus vaccination: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Vaccinology
• Health Behavior

Background:

• High incidence of HPV-related cancers in the US.
• Low human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates.
• Young adulthood is a critical window for catch-up HPV vaccination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore HPV vaccine perceptions and experiences among young adults.
• To identify factors influencing HPV vaccine uptake in young adults.
• To inform targeted HPV vaccination strategies for this demographic.

Main Methods:

• Virtual semi-structured interviews with 25 young adults (18-26 years old) in Tennessee.
• Utilized the Health Belief Model and prior literature to guide interview questions.
• Employed inductive and deductive thematic analysis for data interpretation.

Main Results:

• Key themes included perceptions of HPV vaccination, barriers to uptake, and the influence of healthcare providers and social networks.
• Lack of knowledge and awareness emerged as a significant barrier to HPV vaccine uptake.
• Healthcare provider recommendations and family support were identified as facilitators for vaccination.

Conclusions:

• Young adults' understanding of HPV vaccination and knowledge deficits impact uptake.
• Healthcare provider recommendations and parental support are crucial facilitators.
• Future interventions should focus on increasing awareness and addressing parental concerns regarding HPV vaccination.