HPV vaccine awareness, knowledge and information sources among youth in Switzerland: a mixed methods study

Abstract

ObjectivesWe aimed to provide a detailed characterisation of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine awareness, knowledge and information sources in the HPV vaccine decision-making process of youth, both male and female, in Switzerland.DesignWith a mixed-method study design, we conducted quantitative questionnaires and qualitative interviews, which lasted 20–45 min.Setting and participantsWe recruited participants, 15–26 years of age, in physicians’ offices, in a local sexual health clinic, and during military enlistment. We administered quantitative questionnaires to 997 youth participants (585 male, 412 female) and conducted qualitative interviews with 31 youth (17 male, 14 female).Primary and secondary outcome measuresWe assessed HPV vaccine awareness, knowledge, information sources and vaccination status.ResultsIn the study’s quantitative component, 108 (20%) male and 262 (65%) female participants had received ≥1 dose of HPV vaccine. 697 (70%) participants were knowledgeable about the HPV vaccine. Females were more likely to be knowledgeable than males (342/412 (83%) vs 355/585 (61%); p<0.01). Younger participants in the sample compared with older participants were more likely to be aware of HPV vaccine (135/148 (91%) vs 695/849 (82%); p<0.01). The three most mentioned information sources were school health programmes (442 (53%)), healthcare providers (190 (23%)) and participants’ social networks (163 (20%)). Overall, 554/710 (78%) participants had a female-gendered perception of HPV vaccine, a finding which was further supported and explained by qualitative data.ConclusionsDespite a male HPV vaccine recommendation being made >4 years prior to the data collection, HPV vaccine knowledge was higher among females than males, and a female-gendered perception of HPV vaccine remains prevalent. Internet and social media were minor HPV vaccine information sources. Study findings demonstrate that HPV knowledge matters for HPV vaccine uptake and suggest that we should improve HPV information quality and access for youth, particularly by tailoring knowledge campaigns to young men.

Assessment of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Primary Care Among Swiss University Students

“…Although respondents in health care–related educational programs showed slightly higher knowledge, we noticed large gaps even in this group. Our results are in line with both national and international data showing a large lack of knowledge in the target population, particularly among young men.…”

“…Accordingly, most of the study population would be expected to have been confronted with HPV vaccination at school, in pediatric care, or in gynecological care. The low HPV vaccination coverage rates we observed are similar to official national data and are in line with further estimates . The association of history of HPV vaccination with female gender may be linked to the fact that gynecologists are important providers of HPV vaccination in Switzerland, and the association with health care-related programs is consistent with the international literature .…”

“…A major strength of our study is the high number of respondents. Prior national studies were limited in size or recruited only in geographically confined regions. In various countries, administration of HPV vaccination relies on different health care practitioners in a similar way as in Switzerland, and the potential of providing catch-up vaccination to young adults has been emphasized in various contexts .…”

Health Care Professionals’ Interest in Vaccination Training in Switzerland: A Quantitative Survey

“…Another potential explanation is that pharmacists and nurses may be less familiar with the vaccination schedule for adolescents compared to physicians. We included questions related to HPV vaccine because not much is known about HPV-vaccination recommendation practices of HCPs in Switzerland, and it is not clear which HCPs actually discuss HPV vaccination with target populations in practice ( 46 , 47 ).…”

Human papillomavirus infection

“…Sex-specific estimates are utilised because most HPV-related malignancies affect women. Global cervical cancer ASIR is 13.1, with a 6.9 per 100,000 fatality rate (34). Cervical cancer ranks second among women under 50 and fourth overall.…”