The effect of media exposure, health promotion, healthcare support, and knowledge on HPV vaccine intention among women of reproductive age

Abstract

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection poses a significant public health threat due to its strong association with cervical cancer, which remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women globally. Despite the availability of an effective HPV vaccine, vaccination rates continue to be suboptimal in many regions. Understanding the influence of media exposure, health promotion efforts, healthcare support, and knowledge on HPV vaccine intentions is crucial for designing interventions aimed at increasing vaccine acceptance and mitigating HPV-related health risks. This cross-sectional study sought to examine these factors among women aged 20 to 40 in Tegal, Central Java, Indonesia, from July 2023 to January 2024. The study included 605 participants selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using validated questionnaires to assess media exposure, health service support, HPV vaccine knowledge, and vaccination intentions. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression were applied to analyze the data and determine associations and predictors of vaccination intentions. Media exposure was not found to be significantly correlated with vaccination intention (p = 0.179). However, positive experiences with health promotion (p = 0.014), strong healthcare support (p < 0.001), and good knowledge of HPV (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher vaccination intentions. Logistic regression analysis identified health promotion (OR = 1.645), knowledge (OR = 3.797), and healthcare support (OR = 2.481) as significant predictors, underscoring their critical role in shaping health-related decisions. This study highlights the importance of health promotion, healthcare support, and increased knowledge in fostering positive attitudes towards HPV vaccination among women. The findings stress the need for targeted interventions aimed at enhancing health education, supporting healthcare providers, and raising public awareness to improve HPV vaccine uptake and ultimately reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.