| Abstract |
Coverage of HPV vaccine in the female population of a rural area in Crete
By: Dimitra Voyiadzi, Midwife
Supervisors: Chrisoula Perdikogianni, Assistant Professor of Paediatrics, University of Crete
Lionis Christos, Professor of GM-Primary Health Care, University of Crete
Vrekoysis Thomas, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics-Gyneacology,
University of Crete
Date: February 2019
BACKGROUND: Infection with several types of human papilloma viruses (HPV) has been correlated with the development of cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers, as well as anogenital warts and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.
One of the most important public health measure for the prevention of HPV infection, and consequently, cervical cancer, is the HPV vaccine. Greece introduced HPV vaccines to its National Vaccination Program in 2008.
OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to assess HPV vaccination coverage rates in a rural Cretan area and to identify factors-beliefs that impacted the intention to receive the HPV vaccine.
STUDY POPULATION AND METHODS: The women habitants aged 12-36 years, of Agios Vasileios Municipality in Rethimno Perfecture, that could have been administered the vaccine free of charge, according to the National Vaccination Program recommendations, during the first decade of the vaccine approval . (1038 women) Data was collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The survey was designed to assess participants’ knowledge of the vaccine, status of their own uptake and the reasons of their unimmunization.
RESULTS: The survey involved 1009 out of 1038 (97.2%) female inhabitants of the certain rural area. The majority of the participants were aware of the vaccine 1002/1009 (99.2%). Specifically, 560 (55.5%) were immunized against HPV according their age schedule, 422 (41.19%) were unimmunized and 27 (16.91%) were partially immunized as they had received less doses than scheduled. The main reasons for low vaccination coverage were concerns about vaccine safety (29.8%) negligence (13.8%) and cost barriers (32.7%).
CONCLUSIONS: The coverage of the study population with the vaccine against HPV was comparable to other Greek and European relevant studies, lower to ideal. Some of the findings of the present study may lead to implementation of new strategies by healthcare professionals, to increase awareness and acceptance of HPV vaccine among both providers and parents.
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Εμβολιαστική κάλυψη με το εμβόλιο κατά του HPV στο γυναικείο πληθυσμό μιας αγροτικής περιοχής της Κρήτης
