Factors associated with HPV vaccination among adult women in Quebec

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HP V) infections are the most common sexually transmitted infections in North America and are associated with cervical cancer. A publicly-funded HP V immunization program was launched in the province of Quebec, Canada, in the fall of 2008. The aim of this study was to explore factors associated with HP V immunization among young adult women not targeted by this program. Results: Few women had received at least one dose of HP V vaccine among the 1347 respondents. Age at first sexual intercourse ≥ 20 y, participating in cervical cancer screening, higher education level, being born in Quebec and some positive beliefs about HP V were associated with vaccination. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to 2400 24-y-old women randomly selected from the Quebec provincial health insurance database and 56% responded. Factors associated with vaccination status were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model. Conclusions: The rate of immunization in women who had to pay for the HP V vaccine was very low and was associated with characteristics that are generally associated with a lower risk for HP V infection and cervical cancer. Efforts are needed to reach at-risk adult women. © 2013 Landes Bioscience.