Knowledge of human papillomavirus infection and acceptability of vaccination among adult women in Korea / 대한산부인과학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The HPV vaccination target adolescents, and may be influenced by opinion of parents and other family member. For implementation of HPV vaccine, we measured knowledge of HPV infection and acceptability of vaccination among adults in Korea. METHODS: From August 2006 to November 2007, we provided a written questionnaire to females (above 19 years- olds) who visited Il-sin Christian hospital for prenatal care or gynecological examination. The questionnaire was built using elements of The Health Belief Model. We measured (1) awareness of HPV (2) perceived susceptibility (3) perceived seriousness (4) perceived benefit of vaccination (5) perceived barriers (6) cues to action. RESULTS: Total 975 females answered the questionnaire, and the mean age was 40 years. Only 23.8% knew the fact cervical cancer is related to HPV infection. 78.3% of respondents were willing to accept HPV vaccination after they understood HPV vaccination can prevent cervical cancer. Financial burden and possible side effect were barriers to vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Despite of low awareness of HPV infection, most (78.3%) adults favored having HPV vaccination. But the vaccine was more likely to be accepted if it is recommended by a physician and reasonably priced.