UC Merced

Purpose

We aimed to identify human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine-related knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs among women aged 27-45 years, who became eligible for HPV vaccination in 2018.

Methods

Eight virtual focus groups were conducted with 52 unvaccinated cisgender women aged 27-45 years living in Southern California's Inland Empire. Themes related to women's knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs were systematically identified using the rigorous and accelerated data reduction technique.

Results

The sample was diverse: 62% of participants were Hispanic, Black, or Asian; 17% identified as lesbian or bisexual; and annual household incomes ranged from $0 to $260,000 (median, $60,500). Key qualitative themes centered on 1) questions about HPV and HPV vaccination, 2) knowledge and beliefs about HPV and HPV vaccination, 3) concerns about vaccine side effects and safety, 4) low perceived benefits of vaccination, and 5) social factors influencing vaccine acceptance. Few participants were aware adults aged 27-45 years are eligible for HPV vaccination or that vaccination can still be beneficial after sexual debut. Many believed HPV vaccination caused serious side effects among adolescents and questioned whether safety had been adequately studied for newly eligible adults. Although many participants associated HPV vaccination with social stigma, some emphasized that vaccination was a way to exercise control over their health and prevent illness, given they could not always control the actions of their sexual contacts.

Conclusions

Findings provide insight into knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about HPV and HPV vaccination among women aged 27-45 years, which may be useful for informing interventions to promote shared clinical decision-making between patients and health providers.