Paper: Perceptions of Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination among Korean Women (19th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice)

Monday, 7 July 2008: 1:35 PM

Hee Sun Kang, PhD , Department of nursing, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea

Myung-Sun Hyun, PhD, RN , Collge of Nursing, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea

Eun mi Jun, PhD , Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Dong-Eui University, Busan, South Korea

Learning Objective 1: describe the women’s concerns about the HPV vaccination.

Learning Objective 2: identify important factors associated with HPV vaccination.

Background: There is growing interest in HPV vaccination around the world. Beginning in 2007, quadrivalent HPV vaccine has been available in Korea. There is paucity of studies on women's views about HPV vaccine in Korea.

Purpose: This study is to explore the perceptions regarding the use of HPV vaccine to protect against cervical cancer and condyloma among Korean women.

Method: The study included 25 unmarried women aged 21 to 30 years (mean, 23.76 years). Data was colleted by focus group interviews and in-depth interview from July to October, 2007. Content analysis was used.

Results: The six major themes that emerged were safety concern, effectiveness, behavioral disinhibition, accessibility, lack of awareness, and ambivalence. Participants concerned about the potential harmful effect of HPV vaccine to their body. They raised questions whether the vaccine is 100% effective even in Korean women. They also worried about possible increase in unsafe sexual behaviors. Most of women expressed concerns that HPV vaccination is too expensive and it should be covered by health insurance. Most of women said that they did not know enough about HPV vaccine and would like to know more. Participants preferred to wait until more people are vaccinated.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that the need for an awareness program to empower women to be able to make informed, voluntary decisions about HPV vaccination when needed. Aforementioned concerns associated with HPV vaccination should be considered when educating the women about and promoting the HPV vaccination.

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