Carol Gray Brunton, Elaine Carnegie, Janette Pow, Irina Todorova, Dafina Petrova, Rocio Garcia-Retamero, Anne Whittaker
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Globally, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake rates have declined within a wider context of vaccine hesitancy. Gender-neutral vaccine programmes are increasing and recommended for the prevention of cervical, anogenital, and oropharyngeal cancers affecting both women and men. To address the problem of suboptimal HPV uptake rates for boys and men, we aimed to understand young men's communication needs for HPV messages in a cross-cultural analysis.
Methods: Qualitative methods consisting of 14 focus group discussions were conducted with young men (18-26 years) about the HPV vaccine in three countries with varying HPV vaccine implementation policies at the time. A total of 55 participants were included from Scotland (n=14), Spain (n=25), single-gendered programmes, and the USA (n=16), gender-neutral programme. Analysis was informed by reflexive thematic analysis.
Findings: Four themes were identified: (1) the 'Girl vaccine': primarily seen as a vaccine for girls, despite varying vaccine knowledge and awareness across contexts; (2) vaccine ambivalence: perceptions of men's HPV risks were low and some vaccine worries were evident from US contexts; (3) altruism: a pervasive theme related to young men's roles and responsibilities for HPV transmission within relationships; (4) trusted sources: messages from health care providers/authorities were persistently valued but direct opportunities were often absent.
Conclusion: Public health messaging to increase HPV vaccination for young men should focus on direct appeal to young men's health through specific and targeted HPV messages for cancer and sexual health benefits to increase the personal relevance of the vaccine. It should also focus on indirect appeal through incorporating messages about safe sex in relationships and for herd immunity. Healthcare providers and authorities are trusted sources of information and can influence men's confidence for the HPV vaccine; opportunities for interactions should be optimised.
期刊介绍:
The International Journal of Behavioral Medicine (IJBM) is the official scientific journal of the International Society for Behavioral Medicine (ISBM). IJBM seeks to present the best theoretically-driven, evidence-based work in the field of behavioral medicine from around the globe. IJBM embraces multiple theoretical perspectives, research methodologies, groups of interest, and levels of analysis. The journal is interested in research across the broad spectrum of behavioral medicine, including health-behavior relationships, the prevention of illness and the promotion of health, the effects of illness on the self and others, the effectiveness of novel interventions, identification of biobehavioral mechanisms, and the influence of social factors on health. We welcome experimental, non-experimental, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies as well as implementation and dissemination research, integrative reviews, and meta-analyses.