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Knowledge, Attitudes and Barriers to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Uptake Among an Immigrant and Refugee Catch-Up Group in a Western Canadian Province

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Abstract

Vaccination is a key strategy to prevent cervical cancer in developed countries. Lower uptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among new immigrants and refugees has been documented, although exploration of underlying reasons remains an understudied area. Semi-structured interviews with eleven immigrant women (ages 18–26 years) were conducted to understand their knowledge, attitudes and barriers regarding HPV vaccination in a western Canadian province. Participants had limited knowledge about HPV and the vaccine. Most women perceived that their risk of HPV was low, however expressed willingness to receive the vaccine if it were recommended by their physician. Greater efforts are needed to increase knowledge about HPV among immigrant and refugee women and support for physicians to discuss and offer vaccination to this underserved population.

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Funding

This study was funded by University of Saskatchewan Resident Education Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada

    Erin McComb

  2. Department of Academic Family Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Vivian Ramsden

  3. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Olufemi Olatunbosun

  4. Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Hazel Williams-Roberts

Authors
  1. Erin McComb
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  2. Vivian Ramsden
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  3. Olufemi Olatunbosun
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  4. Hazel Williams-Roberts
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Erin McComb.

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McComb, E., Ramsden, V., Olatunbosun, O. et al. Knowledge, Attitudes and Barriers to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Uptake Among an Immigrant and Refugee Catch-Up Group in a Western Canadian Province. J Immigrant Minority Health 20, 1424–1428 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-018-0709-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-018-0709-6

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