Journal

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics

Papers (124)

Cost-effectiveness of a behavioral insights-informed digital campaign to increase HPV vaccination in Bangladesh

Digital platforms like social media are increasingly used to promote vaccine uptake in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet limited evidence exists on their economic value. This study estimates the cost-effectiveness of a behavioral insights-informed social media campaign designed to increase HPV vaccine uptake among adolescent girls ages 9-14 in Bangladesh. A static cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted from the health system perspective. Inputs included campaign delivery costs, vaccine procurement and distribution, and treatment costs averted through cervical cancer prevention. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted per vaccinated girl were modeled using global burden-of-disease parameters. Effectiveness estimates were drawn from a quasi-experimental evaluation of the campaign, which reported a 9.5 percentage-point increase in vaccine uptake in one study arm and a 5.3 percentage-point increase in another, relative to a control group. These findings were preceded by a posttest study in Dhaka Division, which showed a strong association between campaign exposure and vaccination behavior. The incremental cost per vaccinated girl was $6.02, and the cost per DALY averted - i.e. the Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) - was $39.57. This falls well below established cost-effectiveness thresholds, including 40% of GDP per capita, commonly applied in LMICs. The findings suggest that digital campaigns guided by behavioral insights can represent a highly cost-effective approach to addressing persistent immunization coverage gaps. These results support the integration of such strategies into national immunization programs, particularly in contexts where traditional outreach methods may face financial constraints.

HPV vaccination coverage, hesitancy, and barriers: Insights from a serial cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China (2019–2024)

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally and a significant public health challenge in China, which accounts for nearly 18% of global cervical cancer cases. The HPV vaccine is a proven intervention for preventing high-risk HPV infections and associated cancers. This serial cross-sectional study conducted in Shanghai, China, in 2019 and 2024 analyzed changes in HPV vaccination rates and vaccine hesitancy. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the associations between HPV vaccination, general vaccine hesitancy, and HPV-specific vaccine hesitancy, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. The Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) quantified the proportion of non-vaccination attributable to these factors. In 2019 and 2024, two waves of data were collected from 1,037 and 1,450 parents, respectively. Results showed an increase in HPV vaccination from 6% to 30% during the study period, primarily among women aged 18 and older, while coverage among the WHO target group (girls aged 9-14) remained low at 8%. Parents with HPV-specific vaccine hesitancy were 75% less likely to vaccinate their daughters (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.11-0.56), while general vaccine hesitancy reduced vaccination likelihood by 94% (OR = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.00-0.89). PAF analysis indicated that HPV-specific vaccine hesitancy contributed to 24% of non-vaccination cases, higher than general vaccine hesitancy (10%). These findings highlight the critical need for targeted interventions addressing HPV-specific barriers, improving education about vaccination timing and options, and reducing logistical obstacles to align with global cervical cancer elimination goals.

Human papillomavirus and occupational exposure: The need for vaccine provision for healthcare providers

To probe the understanding of healthcare providers regarding occupational exposure to human papillomavirus and their knowledge about human papillomavirus vaccination in relation to the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) recommendations. In this cross-sectional study, the healthcare providers at Mayo Clinic Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota were delivered an electronic survey. The survey was completed by 349 healthcare providers, with one respondent excluded for inconsistent entry. The mean age of respondents was 42.7 ± 10.9, and of those, 68% were female and 32% were male. Of the unvaccinated respondents, 43.3% were ≤ 45 y of age (eligible for vaccination), while those vaccinated formed 41% of the respondents. Healthcare providers are highly concerned about their cancer safety, as shown by their awareness of occupational human papillomavirus hazards and broad knowledge about vaccine efficacy. The use of personal protective equipment varied widely, including eyewear, double gloving, procedural face mask, N95 face mask, and/or nothing. Human papillomavirus and cancer risk was clearly perceived by healthcare providers. For professions, pairwise comparisons revealed that nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and allied healthcare providers had lower scores than medical doctors. Despite the high level of understanding among healthcare providers of occupational human papillomavirus exposure, only a few of them knew of the recommendations of the ASCPP for vaccination of healthcare providers treating human papillomavirus-related diseases. In such cases, most of those surveyed embraced vaccination, which was considered 100% safe by medical doctors and allied health professionals.

Distribution of HPV types among women with HPV-related diseases and exploration of lineages and variants of HPV 52 and 58 among HPV-infected patients in China: A systematic literature review

To summarize the distribution of types of human papillomavirus (HPV) associated with HPV-related diseases and investigate the potential causes of high prevalence of HPV 52 and 58 by summarizing the prevalence of lineages, sub-lineages, and mutations among Chinese women. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, and WanFang from January, 2012 to June, 2023 to identify all the eligible studies. We excluded patients who had received HPV vaccinations. Data were summarized in tables and cloud/rain maps. A total of 102 studies reporting HPV distribution and 15 studies reporting HPV52/HPV58 variants were extracted. Among Chinese women, the top five prevalent HPV types associated with cervical cancer (CC) were HPV16, 18, 58, 52, and 33. In patients with vaginal cancers and precancerous lesions, the most common HPV types were 16 and 52 followed by 58. For women with condyloma acuminatum (CA), the most common HPV types were 11 and 6. In Chinese women with HPV infection, lineage B was the most prominently identified for HPV52, and lineage A was the most common for HPV58. In addition to HPV types 16, which is prevalent worldwide, our findings revealed the unique high prevalence of HPV 52/58 among Chinese women with HPV-related diseases. HPV 52 variants were predominantly biased toward lineage B and sub-lineage B2, and HPV 58 variants were strongly biased toward lineage A and sub-lineage A1. Further investigations on the association between the high prevalent lineage and sub-lineage in HPV 52/58 and the risk of cancer risk are needed. Our findings underscore the importance of vaccination with the nine-valent HPV vaccine in China.

Human papillomavirus vaccination coverage among young women in the three sub-Saharan African countries using Demographic and Health Surveys data

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer, with 99% of cases linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. It reflects global inequity as its burden is highest in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to determine the HPV vaccination coverage and its determinant factors among young women in the three sub-Saharan African countries. Data from the Demographic and Health Surveys among three sub-Saharan African countries were used for analysis. A total of 4,952 women were included in the study. Stata 14 was used to analyze the data. The determinants of the outcome variable were identified using a multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model. Factors with p-values < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval were declared statistically significant. About 7.5% young women were vaccinated for HPV vaccine against cervical cancer in the current study. Younger age, use of internet, rich economic class, and individual-level media exposure were found to be favorable conditions, whereas being employed was negatively associated with HPV vaccination. Only few segments of young women in these three countries got HPV vaccination. The authors recommend that increasing internet use, media exposure, and economic level of young women will increase the HPV vaccination rates. Furthermore, creating awareness among employed women will also increase the possibility of HPV vaccination.

Multiple infections containing the top five prevalent HPV genotypes and their impact on cervical lesions in Changzhou, China

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the primary cause of cervical cancer and its precursor lesions. The overall prevalence of HPV genotypes in Changzhou has previously been reported. However, the distribution of multiple HPV infections and their roles in cervical injury have less been investigated. We aimed to assess the prevalence of multiple HPV infections among the people in Changzhou. Furthermore, we analyzed whether multiple HPV infections comprising the top five prevalent HPVs were more associated with abnormalities in E6 and E7 (E6/E7) mRNA, liquid-based cytology, and cervical histopathology than a single infection. In the current study, HPV 16, 52, 58, 53, and 81 were the top five prevalent HPV types, both in single and multiple infections. Compared to a single infection, multiple infections containing HPV 16/52/58 were closely linked to positivity for E6/E7 mRNA. In addition to HPV 16, multiple infections containing the remaining top four HPVs conferred a significant advantage on atypical squamous cells of undermined significance or worse in comparison to a single infection. Furthermore, women with multiple infections containing the top five prevalent HPV types were more likely to develop cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade II or worse than those with a single HPV infection. Our results demonstrate the superiority of multiple HPV infections containing the top five prevalent HPV types in cervical disease progression, which should be closely monitored. These findings are conducive for formulating regional preventive strategies for cervical cancer screening and vaccination in Changzhou.

A questionnaire survey on the prevention of HPV infection among females and males who came of age in Japan under various scenarios of HPV vaccine recommendation

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) temporarily suspended recommendation for HPV vaccinations for girls in June 2013. It resumed its recommendation in November 2021. To compensate for eight years of lost overage, a 'catch-up HPV vaccination' program began in April 2022. To determine intervention needs in regards to HPV vaccine hesitancy, from October 13 2021 to April 31 2022, we surveyed 12-28 year-old vaccine-eligible males and females (281 males, 583 females). We investigated the gender and 'vaccine generational' differences in attitudes, perceptions, and future intentions regarding HPV vaccination. Two generations were defined by the vaccine recommendation environment they grew up in. The 'vaccine generation' was born in FY 1994-1999; the 'vaccine-suspension generation' born in FY 2000-2009. Knowledge regarding the HPV vaccine correlated significantly with being female, of the vaccination generation, a medical student, and having received the COVID-19 vaccine. There was a significant 'generational' difference in terms of approval of the MHLW's recommendation resumption. The attitudes, perceptions, and future intentions of Japan's two generation groups are unique and should be dealt with accordingly. HPV vaccination promotion should consider the strong gender differences we identified. As an extension of the anti-cervical cancer program, HPV vaccinations for boys should begin immediately. Our study of their unique outlooks will contribute to the discussion surrounding that implementation.

Healthcare workers’ and caregivers’ knowledge, perceptions and experiences of the school-based human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization program: A qualitative study in eThekwini District of the KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

The introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programs is a significant achievement in preventing cervical cancer and other HPV-related illnesses. This study aimed to explore healthcare workers (HCWs) and caregivers (CGs) knowledge, perceptions and experiences surrounding the school-based HPV immunization program in eThekwini District, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. CGs refer to parents or other individuals responsible for making vaccination decisions for eligible girls. A qualitative study design was employed that incorporated in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 20 CGs and 20 HCWs from different areas of eThekwini District who are involved in a school-based HPV immunization program. The study was informed by the World Health Organization's Measuring Behavioral and Social Drivers of Vaccination (BeSD) approach. The BeSD resources include qualitative tools for conducting in-depth interviews that informed our interview guide. Thematic analysis was used to analyze interviews that were recorded, transcribed, and translated. HCWs indicated a thorough understanding of HPV and the vaccine's benefits, but CGs' knowledge varied, with some having misconceptions about the vaccine. HCWs largely praised the school-based HPV immunization program initiative but noted practical difficulties. CGs' perceptions varied from supportive to doubtful, depending on the information they received. Common impediments highlighted included a lack of information, cultural and religious beliefs and communication breakdowns. The study established that factors such as culture, information, and interpersonal experiences influence the knowledge, acceptance, and uptake of the HPV vaccine. The findings are anticipated to guide development of tailored interventions to increase HPV vaccination coverage in South Africa.

Barriers and facilitators to a combined strategy of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening among Mexican women

HPV-FASTER is an innovative public health intervention combining HPV vaccination and HPV-based screening in adult women at the same visit. FASTER-Tlalpan adapted the combined HPV-FASTER strategy in Tlalpan, Mexico City for women aged 25-45 years. To understand the barriers and facilitators to participation in a combined strategy, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 FASTER-Tlalpan participants. We used the constant comparative method for the analysis, as well as the socioecological model to organize the findings. At the intrapersonal level, barriers included the belief that only younger women are at risk for HPV, embarrassment about the pelvic exam, and lack of time, while facilitators were having information regarding the benefit of the combined strategy, perception of time saved by having both procedures at once, feeling reassured about their health, self-esteem regarding their health, and perceived severity of cervical cancer. Interpersonal-level barriers were experiences of stigma and prejudice, and lack of support from partners, while facilitators were family encouragement and peer-to-peer communications. Institutional-level barriers were lack of infrastructure and inconvenient hours at the health center, perceived high time burden, and low quality of care from providers, while facilitators included high-quality care by health center personnel, including partners in the combined strategy, and phone reminders. Community-level facilitators included willingness to participate. Public policy facilitators included mass information campaigns and free procedures. Our findings point to significant barriers which need to be addressed, along with facilitators which can be leveraged to scale up the combined strategy in similar settings.

Public health impact and cost-effectiveness of implementing gender-neutral immunization with the nonavalent human papillomavirus vaccine in South Korea

This study assessed the impact and cost-effectiveness of gender-neutral immunization with the nonavalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in South Korea. An established dynamic transmission model of HPV epidemiology was adapted to the South Korean population. Vaccinating both girls and boys with the nonavalent HPV vaccine was compared to the currently administered program of vaccinating girls only with the quadrivalent vaccine. Compared to vaccination of girls only with the quadrivalent HPV vaccine, gender-neutral vaccination with the nonavalent HPV vaccine was projected to prevent 1,282,415 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN1), 918,384 cases of CIN2/3, 36,248 cases of cervical cancer, and 9,313 cervical cancer deaths in females over 100 years. Gender-neutral vaccination was projected to reduce HPV-related vaginal, vulvar, anal, and head & neck cancers in females by 4.8-8.2%, in addition to reductions of 14.6% and 15.8% in genital warts and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, respectively. In males, gender-neutral vaccination was projected to prevent 666,182 cases of genital warts, 7,422 cases of RRP, 995 cases of anal cancer, 2,441 cases of head & neck cancer, and 122 cases of penile cancer. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was ₩38.9 million per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), which is below the accepted cost-effectiveness threshold in South Korea. These findings suggest that gender-neutral vaccination with the nonavalent HPV vaccine would reduce the public health burden of HPV disease in both females and males in South Korea and would be cost-effective under base case assumptions about vaccine price and coverage of boys.

Education and social determinants shaping HPV vaccine uptake: Insights from a nationwide cross-sectional study

HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), often affecting young women. Although most infections are asymptomatic, high-risk types of HPV can cause multiple types of cancer, especially cervical cancer. Brazil's 2014 national HPV vaccination campaign, targeting girls aged 11 to 13, improved awareness and vaccine coverage. However, challenges such as vaccine hesitancy and the ongoing need for educational interventions persist, highlighting the need for additional studies to better understand factors influencing vaccine uptake among adolescents. This study analyzed data from the 2019 PeNSE survey, focusing on HPV vaccination information in the dataset. It also examined factors like socioeconomic conditions, family context, and access to education and healthcare. The study found that access to information through cellphones increased HPV vaccine uptake, particularly among females. Indigenous adolescents had higher vaccination odds compared to White adolescents, likely due to campaigns that aimed at vulnerable individuals. Overall, any degree of maternal schooling, compared to no formal education, was related to higher odds of being vaccinated. Sexual health education, particularly on pregnancy prevention and STIs, also boosted vaccine uptake, likely due to overlapping content that includes HPV-related information. The student population presents an opportunity for improving HPV vaccination coverage through parental and school education, healthcare information, and targeted optimization strategies for both genders. Future studies should be designed to leverage these opportunities to achieve the WHO goal of 90% vaccination coverage among girls by age 15 by 2030.

Modeling the epidemiological impact and cost-effectiveness of a combined schoolgirl HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening program among Chinese women

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is common in women and also the main cause of cervical cancer. Based on a dynamic compartmental model, we aimed to evaluate the population impact and cost-effectiveness of strategies that combined cervical cancer screening and HPV schoolgirl vaccination for Chinese women. The effectiveness of interventions was assessed by comparing modeled scenarios to the status quo, where a 3-y cervical cancer screening program remained at a 20% coverage and without a universal HPV vaccination program. Our study demonstrated that increasing screening coverage from 20% to 50% would reduce the high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) prevalence to 5.4%, whereas a universal schoolgirl vaccination program using the quadrivalent vaccine (qHPV) with a coverage of 50% would reduce the prevalence to 2.9% by 2069. Scaling-up the cervical screening coverage to 50% will prevent 16,012 (95% CI: 8,791 to 25,913) Disability-Adjusted Life-Years (DALYs) per year, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of US$ 10,958 (95% CI: $169 to $26,973)/DALY prevented. At the current qHPV price, vaccinating 50% of school girls will prevent 13,854 (95% CI: 8,355 to 20,776) DALYs/year, but the corresponding incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER, US$ 83,043, 95% CI: $52,234 to $138,025) exceeds cost-effectiveness threshold (i.e., 3 times GDP per-capita of China: $30,792). The qHPV vaccine requires at least a 50% price reduction to be cost-effective. Vaccinating schoolgirls will result in a large population health benefit in the long term, but such a universal HPV vaccination program can only be cost-effective with a substantial price reduction.

Effectiveness of human papillomavirus vaccination in young Japanese women: a retrospective multi-municipality study

In Japan, government support for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination began in November 2010. However, the mass media repeatedly reported on severe adverse events. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare suspended proactive recommendations for HPV vaccines in June 2013. Japan's HPV vaccination rate dropped from 70% to less than 1% in 2017.We examined cervical cancer screening results in terms of abnormal cytology, histology, and HPV vaccination status among 11,903 women aged 20 to 25 y in the fiscal year 2015. The overall rate of HPV vaccination was 26.1% (3,112/11,903). Regarding cytology, the rate of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) or worse was 3.3% (103/3,112) in women who received HPV vaccination (vaccine (+) women) and 5.6% (496/8,791) in women who did not (vaccine (-) women). The rate of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) or worse was 0.26% (8/3,112) in vaccine (+) women and 0.81% (72/8,791) in vaccine (-) women. Regarding histology, the rate of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 or worse (CIN1+) was 1.4% (42/3,112) in vaccine (+) women and 2.1% (178/8,791) in vaccine (-) women. The rates of CIN2+ and CIN3+ were similar regardless of vaccination. We found a significantly lower incidence of CIN in vaccine (+) women. These results suggest that the resumption of recommending HPV vaccination as primary prevention for cervical cancer is needed in Japan.

HPV vaccine acceptability and willingness-related factors among Chinese adolescents: a nation-wide study

Adolescents are the primary target population for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. The objective of this study is to explore the acceptability of HPV vaccines and evaluate factors related to willingness to be vaccinated among Chinese adolescents. A nation-wide survey was conducted across 14 schools in mainland China. The questionnaire consisted of questions relating to socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of adolescent sexual health, cervical cancer, HPV and HPV-related disease, and students' willingness to be vaccinated. A total of 4,062 students participated in this study. Among them, only 17.1% of students reported having heard of HPV vaccines; however, 67.3% were willing to receive the HPV vaccine. Multivariable regression analysis showed that students who were from rural areas, have received sexual health education, have heard of cervical cancer or HPV vaccine, have a positive attitude toward vaccination, reported they were at the risk of developing cervical cancer, and those who value their parents' and teachers' opinions were more willing to receive HPV vaccination. Awareness about the HPV vaccine is low among Chinese adolescents. The factors that most related to willingness to vaccinate among Chinese adolescents were school location, education about vaccination, HPV, and HPV vaccines. Integrating health education on HPV vaccination into existing school-based sexual health curricula may be an effective way to increase HPV vaccination coverage in mainland China.

Quality evaluation of HPV vaccine-related online messages in China: a cross-sectional study

Since 2019, three types of HPV vaccine have been approved for use in mainland China. High quality messages are crucial for vaccine acceptance, but little is known about the online information quality concerning HPV vaccine in China. "HPV vaccine" and "cervical cancer vaccine" in the form of Chinese were used as keywords through search engines from personal computer (PC), portable mobile device (PMD), and WeChat Public Accounts in 2019. Readability, information content, as well as DISCERN scores were evaluated for each message included. Characteristics associated with quality indicators of the messages were also analyzed. A total of 294 messages from PC engines (104, 35%), PMD engines (128, 43%) and WeChat (62, 21%) were assessed. Most (269, 91%) messages required at least undergraduate readability level. The most frequently reported theme was HPV vaccine and its function (273, 93%), while the least was information regarding quality, safety and side effects (129, 44%). The frequency of messages with at least one error was 132 (45%). The median of sum DISCERN scores was 42 (IQR = 14), and only one (< 1%) message showed good DISCERN quality. Messages retrieved from PC engines and those with pictures were of better overall quality. The overall quality of HPV vaccine-related online messages in Chinese websites was not optimal. Government and health professionals should promote information quality construction to improve the status of HPV vaccination messages online.

A survey of 20-year-old Japanese women: how is their intention to undergo cervical cancer screening associated with their childhood HPV vaccination status?

In Japan, two groups of women, HPV vaccinated and unvaccinated, are approaching age 20, when they should begin cervical cancer screening. To improve Japan's current poor cervical cancer screening rate, we need to know how these women are thinking about screening. We conducted an internet survey of 20-y-old women, exploring their understanding of HPV and cervical cancer screening. We then gave them leaflets with basic information about HPV and cervical cancer, stressing the importance of early detection by screening. We analyzed the leaflet's effects on their attitudes based on their vaccination status. Our study of 618 women found a significantly higher intention for engagement for cervical cancer screening in women HPV-vaccinated as teenagers (29% versus 17%). They were also more aware that: (1) HPV is transmitted by sexual intercourse (49.1% versus 39.2%); (2) the HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancer (49.0% to 34.0%); and (3) the appropriate cervical cancer screening interval is every 2 y (63.3% versus 56.2%). Women in both groups responded well to the leaflet, with significant improvements in intention to receive screening. However, 65%-67% were not swayed. HPV-vaccinated women were more knowledgeable about cervical cancer and had a greater intention to receive screening. Our educational leaflet was moderately effective in both groups for increasing intentions to screen, but the majority in both groups were still resistant to screening. Japan needs to develop more effective educational programs and tools to vigorously impart the importance of cervical cancer screening.

Effect of an educational intervention on human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge and attitudes towards HPV vaccines among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Western China

Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a key role in the recommendation of HPV vaccination. Our study aimed to understand to what extent a structured health intervention could change the knowledge and attitudes toward HPV and its vaccines among HCWs in Western China. This was a multi-center, questionnaire-based interventional study conducted across 12 cities of seven provinces in Western China, from November 2018 to July 2019. Participants were recruited from local health systems by e-invitation. Questionnaires were administered to participants before and after the intervention. A total of 1448 HCWs attended the educational lectures and 1354 participants completed both pre- and post-study questionnaires. In general, HCWs had satisfactory baseline knowledge regarding HPV and its vaccines compared with other populations, and a significantly higher knowledge level was observed after the intervention. However, some more specific knowledge on the vaccination procedures, other HPV-related diseases and whether HPV testing was required before vaccination was relatively poor. Following the educational intervention, the correct responses to the above questions increased ( Educational intervention on HPV and its vaccines is effective in improving HCWs' knowledge levels and willingness to recommend HPV vaccines. Future educational interventions should focus more on knowledge regarding HPV-related diseases and HPV vaccination. Education campaigns targeting rural HCWs are urgently needed in the near future.

An educational intervention on HPV knowledge and comfortability discussing vaccination among oral health care professionals of the American Indian and Alaskan Native population

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention at improving Oral Health Professionals (OHP's) knowledge of HPV and comfortability to discuss vaccination with their American Indian and Alaskan Native patients. OHP's attended an educational lecture covering HPV vaccination. Participants completed four validated questionnaires that encompassed a sociodemographic survey, a pre-lecture questionnaire (pre-Q), a post-lecture questionnaire (post-Q), and a follow-up questionnaire (follow-Q). The McNemar test was used to assess the significance of marginal probabilities in the responses between the pre-Q and post-Q and the Chi-square test to assess responses between the post-Q and follow-Q. A total of 122 OHP's completed the sociodemographic survey, pre-Q, and post-Q. Among these, 29 OHP's completed the eight-week follow-Q. The majority of all the participants were White/Caucasian (41%), 31 to 60 years of age (72%), females (64%), and held a graduate/professional degree (52%). Analysis of the pre-Q responses showed that only 6.8% of OHP's discuss the connection between HPV and oropharyngeal cancer with patients and a lack of information on the topic was the major barrier reported. After the educational intervention (post-Q), 86.5% of OHP's reported they were more likely to recommend the HPV vaccine and 69.8% felt more comfortable administering it. Comparison between the pre-Q and the post-Q showed a significant improvement in overall HPV knowledge. Similarly, a comparison between the post-Q and the follow-Q showed retained knowledge overtime. Our study suggests that the educational intervention was effective at improving OHP's knowledge of HPV and enhancing their comfortability and preparedness to discuss the vaccination with their patients.

Prevalence, genotype distribution and risk factors of cervical HPV infection in Yangqu, China: a population-based survey of 10086 women

Human papillomavirus(HPV) infection is a necessary factor for the development of cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is currently available, but there is still a lack of large-scale research on the distribution and risk factors of HPV. The aim of this study is to investigate the genotype distribution and risk factors of HPV infection in Yangqu which is located in North China. This study enrolled 10086 women aged <65 years from Yangqu County. HPV genotypes were identified via standard HPV DNA testing. The overall prevalence of HPV infection was 8.92%. The prevalence of high-risk HPV types was 8.80%, and it was 0.38% for low-risk HPV types. Single genotype infection accounted for 67.91% in HPV-positive cases. The most common HPV genotypes were HPV-16, -52, and -58. HPV-18 was only the 11th most common type in HPV-positive cases. Women ≥50 years of age had the highest prevalence rate of HPV, and women <30 years had the lowest prevalence rate. The distribution of HPV genotypes also varied among the three age groups: <30, 30-49, and ≥50 years. The risk factors that contributed to the rate of HPV infection included low educational level, low income, smoking, age at first sexual encounter <23 years old, and number of births ≥3 times. This large routine clinical practice report of HPV prevalence and genotype distribution revealed the characteristics of HPV infection-type distributions in Shanxi Province, which should be considered in formulating comprehensive prevention strategies including vaccination for cervical cancer in China.

A systematic review of immunogenicity, clinical efficacy and safety of human papillomavirus vaccines in people living with the human immunodeficiency virus

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection worldwide. People living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at high risk of HPV infection. This systematic review evaluates the immunogenicity, clinical efficacy, and safety of prophylactic HPV vaccines in people living with HIV. We registered the protocol for this review in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42018109898) and prepared the review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Five randomized trials with 1042 participants are included in this review. One trial with 120 participants compared the bivalent HPV vaccine to placebo, three trials with 830 participants compared the quadrivalent vaccine to placebo, and another trial with 92 participants compared the quadrivalent to the bivalent vaccine. There was low to moderate certainty evidence suggesting that seroconversion was higher among participants in the vaccine arms compared to the placebo arms for both vaccines. In one study with very low certainty evidence, participants who received the bivalent vaccine had higher anti-HPV-18 geometric mean titers (GMTs) compared to those who received the quadrivalent vaccine, despite little difference in anti-HPV-16 GMTs between the two vaccines. There were no differences in the incident and persistent HPV infections in both groups. None of the studies reported data on the incidence of precancerous lesions, or cancer. There were no reports of serious adverse events following vaccination in any of the trials. None of the included studies assessed the effects of HPV vaccines in adolescents living with HIV. Very limited evidence suggests lower immunogenicity of HPV vaccines in HIV positive compared to HIV-negative people. Finally, the long-term effect of the HPV vaccine in the incidence of cervical precancerous lesions and cervical cancer needs to be monitored. There is an urgent need for more high-quality randomized controlled trials that can address these gaps.

Knowledge, practice and attitude towards HPV vaccination among college students in Beijing, China

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the knowledge, practice and attitude towards HPV vaccination among college students in Beijing, China. Furthermore, the factors influencing vaccination were analyzed. The data were collected via self-administered anonymous questionnaires completed by 884 college students who were recruited from a random sample at Peking University in China between September and December 2018. In total, 72.6% of the participants had previously heard of but had insufficient knowledge about HPV and the vaccine. The level of knowledge was significantly associated with the participants' age, major, and family members' or friends' vaccination status. In total, 68.8% of the students viewed college education as the primary source from which they hoped to receive information about the vaccine. Only 9.5% of the females had received the vaccine. Relationships with doctors, sexual experience and a high level of knowledge were positive predictors of vaccine uptake. Limited knowledge about the HPV vaccine was the primary and most common reason for refusing vaccination and not recommending the vaccine to others. Knowledge of the HPV vaccine among college students at Peking University was low to moderate, and the vaccine uptake was low. Policies and measures, such as college health education, are needed to increase college students knowledge of HPV and the vaccine, which may help improve the vaccination rate.

Prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus infection among women aged 30–65 years in Xi’an, China: a population-based study of 14,655 women

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide in terms of both incidence and mortality. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as a cause of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive cervical cancer. The distribution of human papillomavirus genotypes varies regionally. To acquire baseline data on the population-based prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV infection, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of HPV infection among women in Xi'an, China. The study was conducted from September 2018 to December 2020. A total of 14,655 women aged 30-65 years were screened. The overall prevalence of HPV infection was 13.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.0-14.1%), with 10.4% of participants being positive for a single HPV type and 3.1% being positive for multiple HPV types. The prevalence of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV), low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) and mixed HPV infection was 10.1% (95% CI: 9.6-10.5%), 2.2% (95% CI: 2.0-2.4%), and 1.3% (95% CI: 1.1-1.5%), respectively. The five most frequently detected HR-HPV types were types 52 (2.6%), 16 (1.9%), 53 (1.8%), 58 (1.4%), and 51 (0.9%). The most frequently detected LR-HPV type was HPV-42 (1.1%). The prevalence and HPV genotype distribution varied by region and age. Age-specific HPV prevalence peaked in the over 60 years age group (18.8%), and Beilin District had the highest HPV prevalence (18.1%). The results of this first population-based study provide a reference for HPV-based cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination programs in Xi'an.

Portrayals of 2v, 4v and 9vHPV vaccines on Chinese social media: a content analysis of hot posts on Sina Weibo

Rather than receive the effective 2vHPV vaccines that are readily available in China, Chinese women usually wait to receive 4v and 9vHPV vaccines, which are difficult to acquire. This means that Chinese women miss the opportunity for optimal protection from cervical cancer. As social media platforms are the main channel by which Chinese women learn about HPV vaccines, this study aimed to explore how HPV vaccines are described on social media, and in particular how they discuss or distinguish 2 v, 4 v and 9vHPV vaccines. The Octopus Web crawler tool was used to capture hot Weibo posts from 2013-2021, and 1,164 valid data were obtained. Results suggested that there are very few posts with great influence on Weibo about HPV vaccines among 9 years and much of them are created by "lay people." HPV-related topics lacked persistent popularity, comprised highly repetitive content and the spread of information was geographically diverse. There were significant differences in the media descriptions of different kinds of HPV vaccines. Price was mentioned more often in the descriptions of 2vHPV vaccines, whereas appointments were referred to most often in the descriptions of 9vHPV vaccines. There was little media attention paid to the safety and effectiveness of HPV vaccines. Chinese media should develop better collaborations with public health professionals, pay more attention to the originality of their news coverage of HPV vaccines and strive to promote HPV vaccination. Such collaboration will help news media to better understand the key points of HPV information that need to be disseminated.

Knowledge of HPV, its vaccines, and attitudes toward HPV vaccines among obstetrician-gynecologists, pediatricians and immunization services providers in Western China

In mainland China, HPV vaccines have been available to the public. However, only a few related studies among health care providers, as the key information providers, were reported although public concerns on HPV vaccines still exist. In this study, we aim to assess the knowledge of HPV, its vaccines, and attitudes toward HPV vaccines among the three most important groups of health care providers in Western China. This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Health care providers including obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs), pediatricians, and immunization service providers in Western China were investigated regarding their knowledge of HPV and its vaccines and their attitudes toward HPV vaccines. Of 1079 health care providers completing the survey, 1015 (94.1%) knew HPV infection is the primary cause of cervical cancer. However, lower knowledge levels of other HPV-related diseases were also found (43.2%). About three-quarters (74.1%) of practitioners interviewed would be willing to recommend HPV vaccination, which was found to be lower among the OB-GYNs (69.6%) and the pediatricians (73.2%). "Lack of relevant knowledge," "concerns on safety and efficacy" and price were the three most important concerns surrounding HPV vaccination. The interviewed practitioners did not have adequate knowledge of HPV and its vaccines in depth. Education interventions are highly recommended to the health care providers, especially for OB-GYNs and pediatricians, to increase the coverage of HPV vaccination among the population. For the currently high price of vaccines, a future co-sharing mechanism between the government, the providers, and the individuals might be a solution.

Attitude and practice on human papilloma virus infection and vaccination among students from secondary occupational health school: a cross-sectional study

Cervical cancer (CC) is reported as the second-most common female cancer worldwide, of which 99% is caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV vaccine protects against HPV infection and most cases of CC, which has only been introduced for a short time in mainland China. This study aimed to evaluate the attitude and practice related to HPV infection and vaccination among students at secondary occupational health school (SOHS) in China. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Southern China where data of 2248 participants were collected through questionnaires to estimate attitude and practice of students. Only 4.1% believed they were easily infected by HPV, 38.2% were willing to receive HPV vaccine and 30.8% intended to do regular screening of HPV infection in the future. Students in the second grade (OR = 1.51, 95%CI [1.25, 1.81]) and third grade (OR = 3.99, 95%CI [2.53, 6.27]) were more willing to take HPV vaccine compared to students in the first grade. Among the non-vaccinated participants, the most frequent reason for not receiving HPV vaccine was insufficient knowledge about HPV (91.1%). Characteristics of higher grade, personal education before enrollment and academic performance, medical specialty, history of sex experience and HPV vaccine and family history of other cancers were associated with higher attitude scores (

Awareness regarding and vaccines acceptability of human papillomavirus among parents of middle school students in Zunyi, Southwest China

The objective of this study was to investigate the parent cognition of information regarding the human papillomavirus (HPV) and their willingness toward HPV vaccination of their middle-school-aged children in Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China.The results provide a basis for improving the awareness concerning HPV-related information as a key vaccination strategy for implementing the HPV vaccine in the local context. Methods include the random cluster sampling method and questionnaires to survey parents. General descriptive and single-factor analyses were used to assess cognition to determine factors influencing vaccine willingness. Of 1,074 parents, 28.2% (302) and 38.0% (408) had heard of HPV and its vaccine before the survey, and when given HPV-related information, 73.9% (794) parents were willing to vaccinate their children. Reasons why parents did or did not want the vaccination were surveyed, with lack of sufficient knowledge about HPV and its vaccine being the primary reason to refuse vaccination. Concerns about safety, effectiveness, and perceiving low risk are the biggest obstacle in promoting vaccination. When the price is <1000, most parents (56.1%) are willing to vaccinate their children; thus, cost is also one of the concerns. Therefore, strategies for improving public awareness regarding the risk of cervical cancer and confidence in vaccination must be considered by policymakers.If the national authority confirms that the vaccine is safe and effective, the vaccine should be included in the national immunization program to increase publicity, address safety concerns, and allow for price regulation.

Public health impact and cost-effectiveness of catch-up 9-valent HPV vaccination of individuals through age 45 years in the United States

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended catch-up 9-valent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination through age 26 years, and shared clinical decision-making for adults aged 27-45 years, compared with catch-up through age 26 years and 21 years for females and males, respectively (status quo; pre-June-2019 recommendations). This study assessed the public health impact and cost-effectiveness of expanded catch-up vaccination through age 45 years (expanded catch-up) compared with status quo. We used an HPV dynamic transmission infection and disease model to assess disease outcomes and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of expanded catch-up compared with status quo. Costs (2018 USD), calculated from a healthcare sector perspective, and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) were discounted at 3% annually. Historical vaccination coverage was estimated using NIS-TEEN survey data (NHANES data for sensitivity analysis). Alternative scenario analyses included restricting upper age of expanded catch-up through 26 years (June-2019 ACIP recommendation), 29 years, and further 5-year increments. Our results show expanded catch-up vaccination would prevent additional 37,856 cancers, 314,468 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia-2/3s, 1,743,461 genital warts, and 10,698 deaths compared with status quo over 100 years at cost of $141,000/QALY. With NHANES coverage, the ICER was $96,000/QALY. The June-2019 ACIP recommendation also provided public health benefits with an ICER of $117,000/QALY, compared with status quo. The ICER for expanded vaccination through age 34 years was $107,000/QALY. Expanding catch-up vaccination program through age 45 years-old in the US is expected to provide public health benefits, and cost-effectiveness improves with expanding catch-up through age 34.

“ We don’t have the same bodies; we don’t react the same way ”: mothers and adolescent girls’ perceptions of the risks and benefits of HPV vaccination in France

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is one of the most publicly mistrusted vaccines in Europe, with countries such as France struggling with low vaccine uptake due to parental questioning of vaccine risks and benefits. However, limited evidence exists on adolescent girls' perceptions of the risks and benefits of HPV vaccination. The aim of this qualitative study was to provide an in-depth exploration and comparison of French mothers (n = 21) and adolescent girls' (n = 36) perceptions of the risks and benefits of HPV vaccination. A thematic analysis showed that adolescent girls and mothers perceived the risks and benefits of HPV vaccination differently, with girls reporting positive and beneficial views and emotions toward vaccination and mothers expressing concerns about possible risks. Adolescent girls also reported that both perceptions and actual risks and benefits may vary from one individual to another. Vaccine safety was also understood differently, with mothers reporting a widespread view that vaccines are unsafe and focusing on controversial side effects and girls discussing short-term consequences of vaccination (e.g. pain, fever) and administration and storage issues. Strategies to improve uptake of HPV vaccination should consider and address both the mothers' and daughters' perceptions and understandings of HPV vaccination.

Long-term effectiveness of the nine-valent human papillomavirus vaccine in Scandinavian women: interim analysis after 8 years of follow-up

A long-term follow-up (LTFU) of the nine-valent human papillomavirus (9vHPV) vaccine efficacy study in young women aged 16-26 years was initiated to evaluate if vaccine effectiveness for up to 14 years post-vaccination will remain above 90%. Vaccine effectiveness is measured as percent reduction in the incidence of HPV16/18/31/33/45/52/58-related high-grade cervical dysplasia in the LTFU cohort relative to expected incidence in a similar unvaccinated cohort. We report an interim analysis 8 years post-vaccination. Overall, 2029 participants from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden who received the 9vHPV vaccine during the clinical efficacy study continued into the LTFU study. National health registries were used to identify screening attendance and cervical pre-cancer/cancer diagnoses. Tissue samples were retrieved for HPV testing by PCR and pathology diagnosis adjudication. A control chart method was used to detect signals indicative of vaccine effectiveness waning below 90%. No new cases of HPV16/18/31/33/45/52/58-related high-grade cervical dysplasia were observed during the LTFU study period over 4084.2 person-years' follow-up (per-protocol effectiveness population; n = 1448). Thus, there were no signals indicative of vaccine effectiveness waning below 90%. These observations show that the 9vHPV vaccine provides continued statistically significant protection through at least 6 years, with indications of continued effectiveness through 8 years. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00543543, NCT02653118.

Rumors and fears about the HPV vaccine: Perceptions of adolescent girls in government school in Addis Ababa

Cervical cancer remains a significant global public health threat, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, like Ethiopia. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is the most effective tool to prevent HPV transmission and reduce cervical cancer-related mortality, but the vaccine uptake remains suboptimal. The public perception of the HPV vaccine is marked by fear and doubt. Although girls are the primary targets of HPV vaccination, little is known about their perspectives, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study addressed the research question: How do adolescent girls perceive the HPV vaccine, and what factors influence their confidence and uptake? The aim was to explore girls' perceptions and to identify the challenges and factors that shape girls HPV vaccine confidence and uptake. This is a qualitative study that used eight 30 minutes focus group discussions (FGD) with 9 to 10 girls each for a total of 76 girls aged 12 to 15 from selected schools in Addis Ababa. Three trained researchers facilitated the discussion. From using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA), four key themes were created. The FGDs revealed that rumors, misinformation, and poor communication fueled girls' fear and limited their engagement in the vaccination campaign. Their decisions were influenced by parents, peers, and prior COVID-19 vaccination experiences, while minimal involvement hindered awareness and informed choices. Inconclusion, the study underscored the importance of effective communication and involving girls in vaccination campaigns to reduce misinformation, improve awareness, and increase vaccine uptake.

Knowledge, perceptions, uptake, and determinants of HPV vaccination, and preferred delivery strategies among out-of-school girls in Masaka, Uganda

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in sub-Saharan Africa, and accounts for 80% of female cancer cases in Uganda. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine prevents cervical cancer but is mainly administered to school-going girls aged 9-15 y, potentially excluding out-of-school girls. This study assessed knowledge, perceptions, uptake, and preferred delivery strategies among out-of-school girls aged 9-20 y in inland and fishing communities in Masaka, Uganda. Between August and October 2024, we surveyed 428 girls (214 per community) using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, and logistic regression identified factors associated with uptake. The median age was 17 y (IQR: 15-19). Nearly one-fifth (19.9%) were married or cohabiting, and 62.4% had ever had sex. Less than half (44.2%) reported prior knowledge of the HPV vaccine, though most recognized its importance (73.4%) and safety (72.2%). Uptake remained low: 29.9% had received at least one dose, and 12.9% had completed two doses. Prior awareness strongly predicted uptake (aOR = 7.82; 95% CI: 4.67-13.44), with higher uptake in fishing communities (aOR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.30-3.84). Lower uptake was associated with being out of school for 6-10 y (aOR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.14-0.40) and prior sexual experience (aOR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.27-0.96). Among unvaccinated girls, 91.2% expressed willingness to receive the vaccine. Preferred strategies included community outreaches (57.7%), health facility approaches (53.3%), and door-to-door delivery (29.2%). Uptake among out-of-school girls was low despite high willingness, underscoring the need for targeted interventions in high-risk settings.

Factors influencing HPV vaccine hesitancy among university students in China: A cross-sectional survey utilizing the 3Cs model

The HPV vaccine, which has been demonstrated to be an effective method of reducing the risk of developing cervical cancer, is still being underutilized among college students in China. To assess the current status of HPV vaccine hesitancy among college students in Guangdong Province after the COVID-19 outbreak, and to systematically analyze the influencing factors of HPV vaccine hesitancy and construct a prediction model based on the WHO 3Cs model. A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in June 2023 among female college students in four cities in Guangdong Province. The data were analyzed using binary logistic regression with a focus on the 3Cs model: Complacency, Convenience, and Confidence. LASSO regression was employed to analyze the variables deemed to be of significance and to construct predictive models. Out of 1399 participants, 86.5% expressed no hesitancy toward HPV vaccination. However, 11.9% exhibited hesitancy, and 1.6% refused vaccination altogether. Factors such as trust in vaccine efficacy, perception of HPV infection risk, price considerations, and constraints like distance or time were significant contributors to hesitancy. Knowledge of the HPV vaccine, socio-demographic characteristics, and the educational level of participants' mothers also played a role in vaccine hesitancy. It is recommended that targeted interventions be implemented within educational institutions with the aim of raising awareness of cervical cancer and HPV vaccines, simplifying the scheduling of vaccination appointments, and increasing affordability through the implementation of strategic purchasing measures or subsidy schemes.

Development of a novel immune infiltration-based gene signature to predict prognosis and immunotherapy response of a novel anti-PD-L1/TGF-β bifunctional fusion protein in recurrent cervical cancer

The hypothesis-generating case study aimed at identifying those who are sensitive to anti-PD-L1 and TGF-β bifunctional fusion proteins and exploring potential mechanisms in the treatment of recurrent cervical cancer. We report that recurrent cervical cancer treated with anti-PD-L1 and TGF-β bifunctional fusion proteins in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University show distinct clinical therapeutic outcomes. We describe the clinical course, characteristics, and genetic characteristics of the patients and analyzed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) following treatment. The elevation of peripheral blood lymphocytes after treatment may predict response to anti-PD-L1 and TGF-β bifunctional fusion proteins, since partial response (PR) and progressive disease (PD) exhibit different trends. A total of 4,844 DEGs were selected between PR and PD patients during the anti-PD-L1 and TGF-β bifunctional fusion protein treatments, which are believed to be involved in the regulation of the immune response. We demonstrated that changing-fate genes continuously change during treatment fostering the IL 17 signaling pathway and TGF-β signaling pathways. Finally, we identified the prognostic genes and validated that high expression levels of PMEPA1, FSTL3, SERPINE1, CXCL1, CXCL8, and low expression levels of JUND,MAP2K2 were significantly associated with poor prognosis of cervical cancer patients using the TCGA database. Anti-PD-L1 and TGF-β bifunctional fusion proteins are feasible and effective for recurrent cervical cancer through the IL 17 signaling pathway and TGF-β signaling pathways. A novel immune infiltration-based gene signature consisting of PMEPA1, FSTL3, SERPINE1, CXCL1, CXCL8, JUND, and MAP2K2 plays a crucial role in recurrent cervical cancer patients with anti-PD-L1 and TGF-β bifunctional fusion proteins.

HPV vaccine awareness and uptake among women attending cervical screening in health-resource-limited areas of China: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Evidence shows HPV vaccination reduces infection, precancer and cervical cancer, yet coverage in health-resource-limited of China remains uncertain. We assessed awareness, uptake and correlates among women attending cervical screening, and examined associations with screening outcomes. We conducted a cross-sectional study in eight county sites in 2023-2024 among women aged 35-64 y. A standardized questionnaire captured sociodemographic factors, awareness and vaccination. Cervical samples were tested for hrHPV. Outcomes were awareness, vaccination, hrHPV, HPV16/18 and CIN2+. Associations were estimated using modified Poisson models with site fixed effects and HC3 robust errors. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and covariate-standardized marginal estimates were reported. We included 93,027 unique participants. Awareness was 45.15% and vaccination 6.73%. hrHPV prevalence was 11.38% and CIN2+ detection was 0.70%. In 2024 versus 2023, awareness was lower (40.66% vs 51.34%) while vaccination was higher (7.61% vs 5.53%; aPR 1.25, 95% CI 1.18-1.32). Awareness and uptake declined with age; coverage was 23.23% at ages 35-39 and 0.29% at ages 60-64. Urban residence and higher education were associated with uptake (urban aPR 1.19, 95% CI 1.11-1.27; bachelor's or higher aPR 1.73, 95% CI 1.58-1.90). The age-by-year interaction was significant, with standardized gains concentrated at ages 35-49. Vaccination was associated with lower HPV16/18 infection (aPR 0.66, 95% CI 0.52-0.85) but not with overall hrHPV or CIN2+. HPV vaccine awareness and uptake were low among women aged 35-64 y in health-resource-limited areas, with strong age, educational and urban-rural gradients and marked site heterogeneity. Uptake increased in 2024, mainly at ages 35-49, and vaccination was associated with a lower prevalence of HPV16/18 infection.

Human papillomavirus vaccinations’ association to childbirth rates

Prophylactic HPV vaccines are effective against cervical cancer and its precursors, but data on their impact on fertility and pregnancy are limited. This registry-based study examined the association between HPV vaccination and childbirth rates. Study population comprised 6200 HPV- and 1667 hepatitis B-virus (HBV) vaccinated women born in 1992-1993 and an age- and community-aligned cohort of 19,473 unvaccinated women born in 1990-1991. Nearly half of the HPV-vaccinated women participated in a cervical screening trial between ages 22 and 28. Childbirth numbers and rates per 10,000 person-years with 95% confidence interval (CI) were compared across the groups. The mean age at first childbirth ranged between 22.9 and 23.4 years among the vaccinated and unvaccinated women. At the age of 28, the cumulative proportion of all childbirths among HPV-vaccinated and screened cohorts was 2277 (36.7%), among HBV-vaccinated 781 (46.9%) and among unvaccinated reference cohorts 8997 (46.2%). Childbirth rates per 10,000 person years were 306 (95% CI 294-319), 390 (95% CI 364-419) and 385 (95% CI 377-393), respectively. HPV-vaccinated and screened women had lower childbirth rates compared to unvaccinated women at young age, possibly due to sexual counseling that HPV-vaccinated participants got in an overlapping cervical screening trial conducted between ages 22 and 28. This may have postponed their family planning to later ages.

Awareness of the link between HPV and cancer according to cancer type and gender in the US from 2014–2020

While sociodemographic differences in the population awareness of the link between HPV and HPV-associated cancers have been observed in the US, it is unclear how cancer type and gender contribute to these differences. We examined variations in US adults' awareness of the link between HPV and HPV-related cancers over time according to gender. We used data from the 2014-2020 Health Information National Trends Survey. Exposure was gender (men versus women), and outcomes were self-reported awareness of the causal link between HPV and cancers (cervical, anal, penile and oral cancer). A total of 10,933 participants were included in this study. Awareness of the link between HPV and cervical cancer was high (77.6% in 2014) but decreased by 7.4% between 2014 and 2020. In contrast, awareness of the link between HPV and anal, oral, and penile cancers was low (around 30% for each cancer type) and remained stable between 2014 and 2020. From 2014 to 2020, gender difference gradually widened for cervical cancer (with higher awareness among women versus men) while it gradually faded for anal cancer (with higher awareness among men versus women). For oral and penile cancers, the gender difference that was observed in 2014 (with higher awareness among men versus women) gradually narrowed and then reversed (with higher awareness among women versus men). These findings emphasize the importance of implementing novel and targeted interventions to enhance public knowledge of the HPV-cancer link, particularly for HPV-associated non-cervical cancers. Public health initiatives should focus on developing gender- and cancer type-specific educational campaigns aimed at mitigating misinformation around HPV and HPV-related cancers.

Assessing the influence of male vaccination on cervical cancer elimination in China under different vaccination coverage scenarios: A modeling study

Cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection remains a significant public health challenge in China, where screening and HPV vaccination uptake fall well below World Health Organization's (WHO) targets. This study aimed to assess the impact of gender-neutral vaccination (GNV) on cervical cancer elimination in China at a range of vaccination coverage rates (VCRs) and screening uptake rates. Using a model to project cervical cancer incidence and cases in China over 100 years, we evaluated different vaccination strategies using either a bivalent (2vHPV) or nonavalent (9vHPV) vaccine and estimated the time taken to reach the WHO's elimination threshold of 4 cases per 100,000 women. Results showed that all GNV strategies were more effective than the corresponding girls-only strategy at preventing cervical cancer, and all 9vHPV-based strategies were more effective than the corresponding 2vHPV-based strategies, especially at lower female VCRs. At a 70% screening uptake and a female VCR of 60%, the fastest predicted disease elimination time (65 years) was achieved using GNV-9vHPV; this timeline was accelerated to 56 years at a female VCR of 90%. The time to elimination using GNV-9vHPV could be accelerated by up to 6 years by adding a catch-up vaccination program or 7 years by increasing the screening rate. These results suggest that updating the current Chinese HPV vaccination program by including males and using a nonavalent vaccine, in conjunction with efforts to increase cervical cancer screening uptake, offers the fastest route to cervical cancer elimination in China, especially while VCRs remain low.

Cost-effectiveness and epidemiological impact of gender-neutral vaccination against human papillomavirus in economically developed metropolises of Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, China

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes multiple diseases in both sexes. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness and epidemiological impact - defined as reductions in HPV-related disease cases - of a gender-neutral vaccination (GNV) strategy in China's economically developed metropolises: Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. A discrete-time Markov model simulated no vaccination, female-only vaccination (FOV), and GNV strategies among 12-year-olds. The cost matrix included vaccine procurement, administration, and treatment costs from Chinese data and literature. The case matrix translated model-estimated reductions in HPV infections into decreases in disease incidence by applying baseline incidence rates adjusted for HPV genotype attribution, relative risk reductions, and disease-specific lag times. Outcomes assessed were costs (2023 USD), quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), and cases averted. Compared to FOV, the ICERs for GNV were USD 323,134/QALY (Beijing), USD 305,816/QALY (Shanghai), and USD 251,853/QALY (Guangzhou), exceeding local willingness-to-pay thresholds, indicating cost-ineffectiveness. The GNV strategy averted 3.9%, 4.7%, and 3.9% more HPV-related cases over 30 years in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, respectively. Sensitivity analyses showed that GNV became cost-effective when the 9vHPV uptake rate was below 20% in girls (Shanghai) or below 10% in girls (Beijing and Guangzhou), regardless of the uptake rate (≤80%) in boys. It was also cost-effective if vaccine price dropped to USD 21.4 (Shanghai), USD 18.9 (Beijing), or USD 19.1 (Guangzhou). Price thresholds rose substantially with decreasing female uptake but changed little with male uptake variation. The GNV strategy may be cost-effective when the 9vHPV uptake rate remains low in girls or the vaccine price significantly decreases.

Inequalities in HPV vaccine offer among Italian regions: Analysis of regional prevention plans

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a major cause of cervical cancer and other anogenital and oropharyngeal neoplasms. Vaccination against HPV has proven to be an effective tool in preventing these diseases. However, there are significant disparities in vaccine offer among different Italian regions. This study analyzes the vaccination strategies and offer of Italian regions for HPV vaccination, focusing on the implementation of the Italian National Vaccination Prevention Plan (PNPV) 2023-2025. Data were collected through web research. The variables examined included the availability of free vaccination for age and gender groups, catch-up strategies for unvaccinated women, and free vaccine offer for population groups with specific risk conditions. As of May 30, 2025, all regions received the PNPV 2023-2025 and formulated their vaccination regional plan accordingly. The regions showed significant variability in this process, both in the timing of the approval of the regional plan and in the offer. Differences in vaccine offer were observed by age and specific risk conditions, such as for sex workers and other sexual behaviors at risk and people with specific health conditions (e.g. non-HIV related immunosuppression). This study highlighted the need for a coordinated and uniform approach to HPV vaccination in Italy. Timely and uniform adoption of the PNPV 2023-2025 through the formulation of vaccination regional plans is crucial to reducing health inequalities and improving HPV-related health outcomes.

Impact of HPV vaccination on the hospitalizations for anogenital warts and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in Brazil: A national analysis

The HPV vaccination program in Brazil, introduced in 2014 for girls and 2017 for boys, aims to reduce HPV-related diseases, including anogenital warts (AGW) and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). This descriptive ecological study evaluated the program's impact on hospitalizations for AGW and high-grade-CIN using interrupted time series analysis of data from the Brazilian Hospital Information System from 2011 to 2019. From 2011 to 2019, there were 4,312 AGW hospitalizations among females, 7,295 AGW hospitalizations among males, and 84,306 hospitalizations for high-grade CIN. Following the implementation of the HPV vaccination program, significant reductions in hospitalizations for AGW and high-grade CIN were observed, particularly in the targeted 15-19-year-old age group. In this group, the median number of hospitalizations prevented was 174 (95% CI: 154-193) for AGW among females, 116 (95% CI: 86-147) for AGW among males, and 217 (95% CI: 94-339) for high-grade CIN, with strong model fits. Downward trends were also noted in older age groups, though with poorer model fits. The HPV vaccination program has significantly reduced hospitalizations for AGW and high-grade CIN in Brazil, particularly among the targeted age group. Local evidence of early disease benefits reinforces the importance of HPV immunization in reducing the burden of HPV-related diseases and support expanding vaccination efforts for broader public health benefits. Reductions of AGW and high-grade CIN in older age groups may reflect indirect vaccination effects and treatment strategies, respectively.

The effects of human papillomavirus vaccination in Japan

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent virus responsible for nearly all cervical cancer cases, a major health issue worldwide, including in Japan. With over 12,000 cases of cervical cancer and 4,213 related deaths annually in Japan, effective prevention through vaccination is essential. The 9-valent HPV (9vHPV) vaccine provides broader protection against high-risk HPV types (HPV-31, -33, -45, -52, -58) compared to the bivalent and quadrivalent (4vHPV) vaccines. This study evaluates the public health impact of both girls-only and gender-neutral vaccination strategies using 9vHPV and 4vHPV vaccines in Japan. A dynamic transmission model, calibrated with Japanese population data, was used to project cervical cancer and genital wart outcomes over 100 years. Vaccination scenarios included no vaccination, girls-only and gender-neutral vaccination with both 4vHPV and 9vHPV vaccines. Results show that switching to the 9vHPV vaccine significantly reduces cervical cancer incidence and mortality compared to 4vHPV, particularly in gender-neutral strategies. The 9vHPV vaccine was projected to prevent an additional 857,549 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2/3) and 43,799 cervical cancer deaths in a girls-only vaccination strategy compared to the 4vHPV vaccine, over a 100-y period. Gender-neutral vaccination with the 9vHPV further amplifies these benefits, with a faster reduction in HPV-related diseases for both genders. Even under conservative assumptions of 20-y vaccine protection, 9vHPV outperformed 4vHPV in all scenarios. These findings support switching to the 9vHPV vaccine and expanding the National Immunization Program to include boys to achieve long-term HPV control, reduce HPV-related cancers, and improve public health outcomes in Japan.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of adult human papillomavirus vaccination strategies in Italy

Vaccination can reduce the public health and economic burden of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated diseases. In 2023, the Italian national immunization program (NIP) was updated to include HPV vaccination of females ≤26 and males ≤18 years. However, the cost-effectiveness of this update along with proposals to include additional cohorts is unknown. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of different HPV vaccination strategies in Italy over a 100-year period, using a published dynamic transmission model with Italy-specific input data. We modeled vaccination of the primary cohort (11 years of age) for 100 years, alone and supplemented with vaccination of additional cohorts for 5-100 years. We found that vaccination of the primary adolescent cohort resulted in substantial, sustained decreases in the incidence and mortality rates of all HPV-related cancers, but smaller, transient decreases in genital warts and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Adding supplementary vaccination of additional cohorts for 5-10 years had minor additional public health benefits, while continuing any of the modeled supplementary vaccination strategies for 100 years resulted in more substantial incremental benefits. For example, implementing the 2023-2025 NIP strategy for 100 years averted an additional 21,495 cases of cervical cancer compared to vaccination of the primary cohort alone. All supplementary vaccination strategies that were continued for 10 or 100 years were cost-effective compared to vaccination of the primary cohort alone at a willingness-to-pay threshold of €40,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. The benefits deriving from vaccinating additional cohorts should be considered when developing and updating NIPs.

Design and evaluation of a multi-epitope DNA vaccine against HPV16

Cervical cancer, among the deadliest cancers affecting women globally, primarily arises from persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). To effectively combat persistent infection and prevent the progression of precancerous lesions into malignancy, a therapeutic HPV vaccine is under development. This study utilized an immunoinformatics approach to predict epitopes of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and helper T lymphocytes (HTLs) using the E6 and E7 oncoproteins of the HPV16 strain as target antigens. Subsequently, through meticulous selection of T-cell epitopes and other necessary elements, a multi-epitope vaccine was constructed, exhibiting good immunogenic, physicochemical, and structural characteristics. Furthermore, in silico simulations showed that the vaccine not only interacted well with toll-like receptors (TLR2/TLR3/TLR4), but also induced a strong innate and adaptive immune response characterized by elevated Th1-type cytokines, such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-2 (IL2). Additionally, our study investigated the effects of different immunization intervals on immune responses, aiming to optimize a time-efficient immunization program. In animal model experiments, the vaccine exhibited robust immunogenic, therapeutic, and prophylactic effects. Administered thrice, it consistently induced the expansion of specific CD4 and CD8 T cells, resulting in substantial cytokines release and increased proliferation of memory T cell subsets in splenic cells. Overall, our findings support the potential of this multi-epitope vaccine in combating HPV16 infection and signify its candidacy for future HPV vaccine development.

Exploring factors influencing awareness and knowledge of human papillomavirus in Chinese college students: A cross-sectional study

Cervical cancer remains a significant health burden in China, characterized by high incidence and mortality rates, which are exacerbated by low Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage, leading to substantial loss of productivity, emotional suffering, and family strain. Understanding factors that influence HPV awareness and knowledge is crucial for developing effective educational strategies. This cross-sectional study, conducted from September to October 2022, involved 2,679 college students from various educational institutions in Jiangsu Province, China. Data were collected via an online questionnaire covering demographics, HPV knowledge, and vaccination behaviors. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests and multifactorial logistic regression, were used to identify factors influencing HPV knowledge. The study revealed that while over 90% of students correctly identified HPV's transmission and risks, significant knowledge gaps and misconceptions persist, particularly regarding HPV's association with HIV/AIDS and its treatment. Factors significantly associated with better HPV knowledge included age (22-24 years), female gender, being a medical major, being in a relationship, familiarity with HPV, and participation in sexual education programs. Despite a high willingness to receive the HPV vaccine (91.64%), actual vaccination rates remained low. These findings suggest that while Chinese college students were generally aware of HPV, targeted educational interventions are essential to address knowledge gaps and promote HPV vaccination effectively.

Health impact and cost-effectiveness of implementing gender-neutral vaccination with the 9-valent HPV vaccine in Hong Kong

Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause several diseases, including cancers, in both sexes. In January 2020, the Hong Kong government launched a school-based vaccination program for girls 10-12 years of age with the 9-valent HPV (9vHPV) vaccine for the prevention of HPV-related diseases; however, boys were not included. The current study estimated the potential health and economic impact of a routine gender-neutral vaccination (GNV) approach compared with the current female-only vaccination (FOV) strategy. We used a dynamic transmission model, adapted to Hong Kong. The model estimates changes in HPV-related disease incidence and mortality, treatment costs (in 2019 Hong Kong dollars), quality-adjusted life years (QALY), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) over a 100-year time horizon. The base case analysis compared FOV with the 9vHPV vaccine with routine GNV (coverage rate 70%) for the prevention of HPV-related diseases. Compared with a FOV approach, routine GNV with the 9vHPV vaccine is predicted to provide greater reductions in cumulative HPV-related disease incidence and mortality, as well as lower HPV-related treatment costs. In the base case analysis, the ICER was $248,354 per QALY for routine GNV. As compared with FOV, routine GNV fell below the cost-effectiveness ceiling of $382,046/year for Hong Kong. These results highlight the potential value of a routine GNV program with the 9vHPV vaccine among 12-year-olds in Hong Kong to reduce the public health and economic burden of HPV-related diseases.

MOnitoring human papillomavirus Vaccine effect on Infection and cErvical diseases (MOVIE): Protocol for a cohort study using electronic health records from Yinzhou, China

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, with a high disease burden worldwide. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination reduces HPV-related infection and associated cervical lesions and cancers. Few studies have explored HPV vaccination impact in real-world settings in China. This study aims to monitor HPV vaccine uptake and its effects on HPV-related diseases, evaluating vaccine effectiveness in a real-world context and complementing clinical trial results. Electronic health records (EHRs) from 2010 to 2020 from the Yinzhou Regional Health Information Platform (YRHIP) will be queried/extracted to identify and monitor HPV vaccine uptake in females aged 9-45 years, and HPV-related screening and prevalence (i.e., cervical HPV infection, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] grades 1-3, and cervical cancer) in a cohort of females aged 9-70 years. Cervical cancer screening guidelines and expert consultation will be used for intra-database validation, to determine the best algorithm for identifying HPV-related disease. Pre-launch (2010-2016) and post-launch (2018-2020) periods are predefined. A time trend analysis will be performed to describe the vaccination impact on disease prevalence and, if prerequisite conditions are met, vaccine effectiveness will be computed using logistic regression, adjusting for age, calendar year, history of screening and HPV infection. Cohort study design, outcomes validation, data linkage, and multi-step statistical analyses could provide valuable experience for designing other real-world studies in the future. The study outcomes can help inform policy-makers about uptake and HPV vaccination policy in girls and women in Yinzhou District, and provide insights on progress toward achieving goals set by the World Health Organization.

Public health impact of 2-, 4-, and 9-valent HPV vaccination in females on cervical and noncervical diseases in men and women under different coverage scenarios in China: A simulation study

The high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in China suggests there would be a substantial positive health impact of widespread vaccination against HPV. We adapted a previously described dynamic transmission model of the natural history of HPV infection and related diseases to the Chinese setting to estimate the public health impact in China of 2-valent (with and without cross-protection), 4-valent, and 9-valent HPV vaccination strategies. The model predicted the incidence and mortality associated with HPV-related diseases, including cervical and noncervical cancers, genital warts, and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), based on the various vaccination coverage rate (VCR) scenarios, over a 100-year time horizon. The public health impact of the 4 vaccination strategies was estimated in terms of cases and deaths averted compared to a scenario with no vaccination. Under the assumption of various primary and catch-up VCR scenarios, all 4 vaccination strategies reduced the incidence of cervical cancer in females and noncervical cancers in both sexes, and the 4-valent and 9-valent vaccines reduced the incidence of genital warts and RRP in both sexes. The 9-valent vaccination strategy was superior on all outcomes. The number of cervical cancer cases averted over 100 years ranged from ~ 1 million to ~ 5 million while the number of cervical cancer deaths averted was ~ 345,000 to ~ 1.9 million cases, depending on the VCR scenario. The VCR for primary vaccination was the major driver of cases averted.

HPV prevalence and genotype distribution among women in eastern China during the Covid-19 pandemic

Since March 2020, the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has affected nearly all aspects of daily life. In this study, we investigated the age-stratified prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) among females in Shandong province (eastern China) and aimed to provide guidance on HPV-based cervical cancer screening and vaccination. The distribution of HPV genotypes was analyzed using PCR-Reverse Dot Hybridization. The overall infection rate of HPV was 16.4%, which was dominated by high-risk genotypes. The most prevalent genotype was HPV16 (2.9%), followed by HPV52 (2.3%), HPV53 (1.8%), HPV58 (1.5%), and HPV51 (1.3%). Among the positive cases with HPV infection, single-genotype infection was significantly higher than that of multi-genotype infection. In subgroup analyses by age (≤25, 26-35, 36-45, 46-55, >55), HPV16, 52, and 53 were consistently the three most common hrHPV genotypes in all age groups. The infection rate of multi-genotypes in the ≤25 and >55 age groups was significantly higher than that in other age groups. A bimodal distribution of HPV infection rate was observed in different age groups. Among lrHPV genotypes, HPV6, HPV11, and HPV81 were the three most common types in the ≤25 age group, while in other age groups, HPV81, HPV42, and HPV43 are the three most common lrHPV genotypes. This study provides basic information on the distribution and genotypes of HPV in the female population in eastern China, which could improve the application of HPV diagnostic probes and vaccines.

Assessing the burden of HPV-associated cancers in Brazil: Hospitalization and mortality trends from 2011 to 2019

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers represent a substantial public health burden. This study analyzed the national burden of hospitalization and mortality from HPV-associated cancers in Brazil between 2011 and 2019. Outcomes included average annual numbers, crude and age-standardized rates per 100,000 population, and trends estimated via joinpoint regression for cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, and head and neck cancers (oropharynx, larynx, and oral cavity). Between 2011 and 2019, HPV-attributable cancers accounted for an average of 29,155 hospitalizations (14.3 per 100,000) and 7526 deaths (3.7 per 100,000) annually across both sexes. Among females, there were an average of 24,921 hospitalizations (24.0 per 100,000) and 6430 deaths annually, largely driven by cervical cancer. Among males, there were an estimated 4234 HPV-attributable hospitalizations and 1096 deaths per year (4.1 and 1.1 per 100,000, respectively), with penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers being the largest contributors. Cervical cancer accounted for 74.3% of HPV-attributable hospitalizations, followed by anal (10.4%), head and neck (9.2%), and penile cancers (3.4%). Most HPV-associated cancers showed stable hospitalization and mortality trends over time. For cervical cancer, hospitalizations rose by 3.9% annually between 2016 and 2019, while mortality rose by 0.7% annually over the entire period. Anal cancer showed significant increases in both hospitalizations (AAPC = 3.1%) and mortality (AAPC = 10.9%). These findings underscore the need for continued efforts to prevent and reduce the burden of HPV-associated cancers in Brazil, including expanded cohort vaccination, consideration of higher-valency vaccines, and improved access to early detection and timely treatment for both sexes.

Human papillomavirus genotype-specific risks for cervical intraepithelial lesions

Prevalence of different HPV genotypes is changing after HPV vaccination. The associated risks are needed for optimizing cervical cancer screening.To estimate HPV type-specific prevalence, odds ratio (OR), and positive predictive value (PPV) for cervical cytological abnormalities, we determined 41 different HPV genotypes in cervical samples from a population-based sample of 8351 women aged 18-51 years before HPV vaccination era (V501-033; NCT01077856).Prevalence of HPV16 was 4.9% (95% CI: 4.4-5.5) with the PPV for high-grade cytology 11.2%, and OR 11.9 (95% CI: 8.5-16.5). Carcinogenic HPVs included in the nonavalent vaccine (HPV16,18,31,33,45,52,58) had a population prevalence of 14.4% (95% CI: 13.5-15.4), with PPV of 8.0% (95% CI: 6.8-9.3) and OR 23.7 (95% CI: 16.0-63.5) for high-grade cytology. HPV types currently included in most screening tests, but not vaccinated against (HPV35,39,51,56,59,66,68) had a joint prevalence of 8.5% (95% CI: 7.8-9.2) with PPV of 4.4% (95% CI: 3.3-5.7) and OR of 2.9 (95% CI: 2.0-4.0) for high-grade cytology. The other 27 non-carcinogenic genotypes had a prevalence of 11.8%, PPV of 2.9% (95% CI:2.1-3.9), and OR 1.5 (95% CI: 1.1-2.2.) for high-grade cytology.These results suggest that HPV screening tests in the post-vaccination era might perform better if restricted to the HPV types in the nonavalent vaccine and screening for all 14 HPV types might result in suboptimal balance of harms and benefits.

The association between maternal human papillomavirus (HPV) experiences and HPV vaccination of their children

HPV vaccination prevents most HPV-related cancers yet vaccination rates remain low. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the association between maternal HPV experiences and HPV vaccination uptake among children and whether this association may be explained by perceived benefits of vaccination. We used logistic regression models to estimate the effect of (1) maternal history of abnormal Pap smear, (2), family/friend history of cervical cancer, and (3) maternal history of cervical cancer on HPV vaccination uptake among children. Separate mediation analyses were conducted to determine if perceived benefits mediated the relationship between each maternal HPV experience and HPV vaccination uptake. History of abnormal Pap smear (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.15, 1.97), family history of cervical cancer (OR = 1.72, CI = 1.26, 2.35), and personal history of cervical cancer (OR = 3.00, CI = 1.82, 4.95) predicted HPV vaccination of children. Perceived benefits mediated the relationship between history of abnormal Pap smear (indirect effect =.146, SE =.069, 95% CI =.014, .289), family history of cervical cancer (indirect effect =.228, SE =.079, CI =.080, .387), and personal history of cervical cancer (indirect effect =.298, SE =.116, CI =.082, .533) on HPV vaccination. Our results suggest that personal experiences with HPV-related disease may influence maternal HPV vaccine decision-making.

Declining awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine within the general US population

Programs aimed at boosting human papillomavirus (HPV)-related awareness are considered one of the most effective strategies for increasing vaccination uptake and eliminating HPV-associated cancers. Several US states have made strong commitments to this effort through legislation and dedicated funds. However, it is not known if these efforts have resulted in population-level increments in HPV awareness overtime. Using the Health Information National Trends Survey data, we examined the awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine in the US, between 2008 and 2018. Prevalence estimates and confidence intervals were calculated for HPV and HPV vaccine awareness. Further, we assessed awareness after stratifying by key sociodemographic characteristics. Overall, the awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine declined over time. The lowest awareness was among racial minorities, rural residents, male respondents, those aged 65 years and older, as well as those with the lowest educational and socioeconomic standing. Between 2013 and 2018, the awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine declined by almost 10% among males, those with a high school level of education or lower, and those who earned less than USD 35,000 per annum. In 2018, the awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine was highest among non-Hispanic whites (65.8% and 66.5%) and female adults (70.5% and 71.4%); however, these figures represented declines of about 5% from rates observed in 2008. Amidst a background of sub-optimal HPV vaccination uptake and a growing incidence of HPV-associated cancers in the US, HPV-related awareness within the general US population has declined over time. This calls for stricter enforcement of legislation aimed at boosting HPV awareness, as well as frequent evaluation of government-funded HPV awareness programs.

A potential means to help the HPV vaccine penetrate the Japanese public while under the continued suspension of governmental recommendation

In Japan, the government's recommendation for the HPV vaccine has been suspended for almost 8 years. A questionnaire survey was conducted in the Tsubaki Women's Clinic, Matsuyama, Japan, to examine responses of the mothers of girls eligible for HPV vaccine before and after their doctor provided them an informative leaflet explaining the need for cervical cancer prevention.Among the 53 mothers who admitted to imposing some preconditions before being willing to encourage their daughters' HPV vaccination, 21 (40%) mothers became more willing to vaccinate their daughters immediately after receiving the cervical cancer prevention linkage explanation provided by their doctor, and seven of the mothers (33%) even returned to the clinic to get their daughter vaccinated during our study period. Logistical regression analysis revealed that having initial preconditions required for their daughters' HPV vaccination was an independent variable influencing the mothers' change of willingness to get their daughters vaccinated immediately after receiving the explanation using the leaflet.We have found that to achieve maximum effectiveness, we can use an appropriate leaflet even under suspension of the governmental recommendation. Our future efforts should be focused on those mothers who are less likely to impose preconditions on their daughter's vaccination.

Key decision-making factors for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine program introduction in low-and-middle-income-countries: Global and national stakeholder perspectives

Low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) experience a high burden of cervical cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine prevents high-risk strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer; however, the integration of HPV vaccines into national immunization programs within many LMICs has been suboptimal. Our study evaluated key factors that drive the decision-making process for the implementation of HPV vaccine programs in LMICs. Stakeholder analysis and semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with national and global stakeholders. Interview data were analyzed through qualitative descriptive methods. Findings from our study revealed the decision-making process for HPV vaccines requires the involvement of multiple institutions and stakeholders from national and global levels, with decision-making being a country-specific process. Partner considerations, locally driven processes, availability of data, and infrastructure and resource considerations were found to be critical factors in the decision-making process. Future programs should evaluate the best approaches for investing in initiatives to enhance coordination, ensure vaccine introduction is locally driven, increase the availability of data needed for decision-making, and equip countries with the necessary resources to guide country decision-making in the face of increasingly complex decision-making environments.

Stated preferences for human papillomavirus vaccination for adolescents in selected communities in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria: A discrete choice experiment

Administration of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in early adolescence is effective in preventing cervical cancer, a common cancer in sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria is in the pre-introduction era of the HPV vaccine. Understanding the preferences of the population for the vaccine can help design the HPV immunization program to ensure high uptake of the vaccine. This study explored the preferences for the HPV vaccine among stakeholders in selected communities in Ibadan, Nigeria. A discrete choice experiment survey based on six attributes of the HPV vaccine (which were the number of doses, the efficacy of the vaccine, cost of the vaccine, location of the service point, other benefits of the vaccine apart from prevention of cervical cancer and the odds of a side effect from the vaccine) was carried out in five communities. Data were analyzed using conditional and mixed logit models. Seven hundred community members were recruited, 144 (20.7%) were adolescents and 248 (35.4%) were males. In line with expectations, respondents preferred vaccines with higher efficacy, less severe side effects and lower costs. Preference heterogeneity was identified for adolescents that were less price-sensitive and other community members who were less likely to prefer using schools as the service point. The high socioeconomic class preferred a vaccine that also prevents genital warts. There were variabilities in the preferences for the attributes of the HPV vaccine in the study communities. These variabilities need to be considered in the introduction of the HPV vaccine to ensure high uptake of the vaccine.

Willingness to accept human papillomavirus vaccination in Jimma town, Ethiopia

Vaccination against HPV is effective against cervical cancer, and the success of HPV vaccination is determined by the willingness to accept the vaccine. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess willingness to be vaccinated among female high school students, in Jimma town, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted with female high school students in Jimma town, Ethiopia. Study participants were selected using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a self-administered method. Data were entered using Epi-data version 3.5, exported, and analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 21. Pearson's chi-square test was used for data analysis. Finally, the results were narrated using text, tables, and graphs. A total, of 366 study participants were interviewed and yielded a response rate of 94.8%. The majority of responders (267 or 72.9%) belonged to the age class 16-20 years. Two-thirds 68.9% of respondents were willing to take HPV vaccines. Respondents' mother education (P = .041), respondents who had an older sister (P = .014), who had a smartphone (P = .043), knowledge (P = .001), and attitude (P = .006) variables were significantly associated with willingness to accept HPV vaccine. Only two-thirds of the study participants were willing to vaccinate. Responders' mother education status, responders who had an older sister, smartphone, good knowledge, and a favorable attitude toward HPV vaccine were significantly associated with HPV vaccine acceptance. All concerned bodies have to enhance the willingness of the target population to take HPV vaccination.

Evaluating the quality of HPV vaccine-related information on the Portuguese Internet

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is considered the second largest human carcinogen after tobacco and is responsible for 5% of all cancers, 10% of cancers in women, and 15% of all cancers in developing countries. Among these, cervical cancer is the most prevalent. An HPV vaccine has recently been developed to provide primary protection against the viral infection. In 2014, Brazil's National Immunization Program (Programa Nacional de Imunizações, PNI) started making a quadrivalent vaccine available to the public. However, after 2014, the vaccine coverage dropped and did not reach the PNI's targets. Among other factors, this low uptake was due to the quality of information on the Internet. Using Google Trends, the main search terms used to search for vaccine-related information on the Internet were identified. The content of the identified websites was analyzed using the DISCERN instrument and their reach was determined using their page authority score. Most of the texts analyzed were not of high quality. The data that most commonly reach the lay public are from sites that lack scientific rigor. We found a weak correlation between the DISCERN and page authority scores. Based on our analysis, we inferred that the information that reaches the user is not always the most accurate and can lead to harmful decisions on vaccination. The content that reaches the user most easily is not always of sound quality. New analyses are important, especially on the impact of social networks that present even fewer criteria in publications and are more easily accessible.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination intent and its associated factors: a study of ethnically diverse married women aged 27 to 45 in Malaysia, a Southeast Asian country

This study aimed to investigate HPV vaccination intention among adult married women aged 27 to 45 years and its associated factors, and their spouse/partner's influence on HPV vaccination decision-making. This is a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. Study participants were recruited through simple random sampling of patients attending obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinics in a university teaching hospital. Participants were selected based on a computer-generated list of a random list of patients attending the clinic. A total of 794 complete responses were received (response rate 88.2%). The mean age of the respondents was 32.2 years with a standard deviation (SD) of ±3.9 years.The vast majority (85.3%) would communicate with their spouse/partner with regard to HPV vaccination decision-making. Nearly 30% (over half were of the Malay ethnic group) perceived their spouse/partner would not consent to their HPV vaccination. Over half (54.9%) reported joint decision-making, and 9.1% (the majority of whom were Malay) reported that HPV vaccination was dependent on their spouse/partner's decision. Intention to vaccinate against HPV was high (74.5%). Factors influencing HPV vaccination intention were spouse/partner's consent to HPV vaccination (odds ratio [OR] = 4.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.08-6.62), being a postgraduate student (OR = 4.55; 95% CI, 2.13-9.72 vs. unemployed/housewife), average household income MYR2000-4000 (OR = 2.09; 95%CI, 1.16-3.78 vs. below MYR2000), and an HPV-related knowledge score of 9-20 (OR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.10-2.32 vs. score 0-8). Findings highlight the importance of culture-centered interventions to enhance male partner's awareness and support for the HPV vaccination of married women.

Publisher

Informa UK Limited

ISSN

2164-5515