How would family physicians facilitate the uptake of HPV vaccination: Focus group study on parents and single women in Hong Kong
Author(s)
Author(s)
Chan, P. K. S.
Lau, L. C. H.
Chan, T. T. N.
Date Issued
2011
Publisher
The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians
Journal
The Hong Kong Practitioner
Volume
33
Issue
3
Start page
107
End page
114
Abstract
Objective: To gain a better understanding of the general public in Hong Kong regarding the prevention of cervical cancer and acceptance of HPV vaccination.
Design: Six focus groups were conducted to explore issues around the understanding of cervical cancer including risk factors, causative factors and method of prevention.
Subjects: Parents with and without children and single women with no history of HPV vaccination.
Outcome measures: All interviews were video taped, transcribed and categorized into different themes for analysis of regularity and patterns.
Results: Most participants seemed to be aware of the risk and causative factors for cervical cancer. Most expressed the necessity for early prevention by vaccination but for different reasons and they were in general concerned with its duration of protection, safety and side effects. Lack of concrete advice and conflicting views from health professionals were identified as other major barriers for low uptake rate of vaccination.
Conclusion: More public education is needed on the commonality of HPV infection in Hong Kong. It may be helpful for family physicians to explore means of engaging in community health promotion programmes for the prevention of cervical cancer such that vaccination as primary prevention would be considered a "social norm" among women.
SFU Affiliated Publication
No
Availability at SFU Library
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