TITLE:
Attitude to cervical cancer screening and sexual behaviour among HPV vaccinated young women—A qualitative pilot study
AUTHORS:
Marie G. Oscarsson, Anna Qvarnström, Tanja Tydén
KEYWORDS:
Cervical Cancer Screening; Human Papillomavirus; Sexual Behaviour; Vaccine; Young Women
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.5 No.7D,
July
10,
2013
ABSTRACT: Objectives: To explore attitudes to cervical cancer screening and sexual behaviour
among human papillomavirus (HPV)-vaccinated young women in southern Sweden. Methods: Sixteen
women aged 17-26 years who had received the HPV vaccine were submitted to an
individual semi-structured interview. Interviews were recorded and
transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed qualitatively by means of latent
content analysis. Results: The interviewees had a poor understanding of cervical cancer screening. After it was explained
to them, they stated that they were willing to participate in the screening.
The young women thought their future sexual behaviour would not be affected by
the vaccination. They considered themselves to be more aware of it and less
likely to engage in risky behaviour than their peers. They knew little about
the relation among HPV, sexual transmission and cervical cancer, and they expressed
a desire for more information. Conclusions: These young women who recently had
been administered HPV vaccine had a limited understanding of the
importance of participating in future cervical cancer screening. It is necessary
that more and more appropriate information of cervical cancer screening be
given on the occasion of the HPV vaccination.