The importance of social norms for uptake of catch-up human papillomavirus vaccination in young women
Richard de Visser A C , Louisa Waites B , Chandni Parikh B and Aaron Lawrie B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer BN1 9QH, UK.
B Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Falmer BN1 9PX, UK.
C Corresponding author. Email: R.De-Visser@sussex.ac.uk
Sexual Health 8(3) 330-337 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH10155
Submitted: 4 December 2010 Accepted: 31 January 2011 Published: 23 May 2011
Abstract
Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the cause of almost all cases of cervical cancer. The current UK government immunisation program includes free routine HPV vaccination of girls aged 12–13, with a catch-up vaccination program for 13–18-year-old girls. The aim of this study was to identify correlates of intended and actual uptake of catch-up HPV vaccination. Methods: An online questionnaire was completed by 591 young women aged 16–20. Results: Of the 350 women who had been offered catch-up HPV vaccination, 90.6% had accepted. In multivariate analyses, vaccine uptake was significantly correlated with subjective norms more supportive of HPV vaccination, and greater uptake of other childhood vaccinations (χ2(3) = 39.34, P < 0.01; 91.1% correctly classified; Nagelkerke pseudo-r2 = 0.23). Among the 241 women aged 16–20 who had not been offered HPV vaccination, the average intention was 3.70 on a five-point scale. Multivariate analyses revealed four significant independent predictors of stronger intentions to accept vaccination: subjective norms more supportive of HPV vaccination, greater worry about sexually transmissible infections, greater support for young people’s sexual health services and greater support for childhood vaccination (F(4,236) = 18.67, P < 0.01; adjusted r2 = 0.23). Young women rated television advertisements, educational programs and television soaps as the most effective ways to encourage uptake of HPV vaccination. Conclusions: Uptake of HPV vaccination may be increased if interventions use appropriate media to promote social norms supportive of HPV vaccination.
Additional keywords: intention, sexually transmissible infections, teenage girls, UK.
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