Acceptability/uptake of HPV vaccination in Argentina: a population-based survey

ARROSSI S; PAOLINO M

Congreso; The 27th International Human Papillomavirus Conference; 2011

Acceptability/uptake of HPV vaccination in Argentina: a population-based survey Background: In 2008, in Argentina, a mass media publicity campaign to promote HPV vaccination was carried out by a cancer NGO, but it was stopped after public controversy. At present, the MoH is planning inclusion of HPV vaccination in the national immunization program. In this context, to assure high HPV vaccine coverage, evidence is needed on factors both associated to vaccine acceptability and uptake.   Objective: to analyze both acceptability and actual vaccine uptake in a middle-income country like Argentina, taking into account the effect of past controversial advertising. Methods: In 2009-2010 we carried out a population-based survey among a representative sample of 1200 women aged 18-49 years from the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. We analyzed vaccine uptake/acceptability separately for women and for their daughters aged 9-15, and willingness to vaccinate one’s daughter younger than 9 to receive future HPV vaccination. Results: 470 women (39.2%) knew the HPV vaccine. 25% of total women were able to remember the mass media advertisement about HPV vaccination. When asked whether a woman would get vaccinated after having seen/heard the advertisement, around 75% (n=226) women answered surely/probably yes. Those who declared that a woman would get vaccinated were more likely to have had an abnormal Pap test (93.9 Vs. 72.2, P=0.006). No other significant differences were found. When surveyed, 6 women had been vaccinated. Main reasons for non-vaccination were: “Doctor did not mention/recommend it” (34.1%) and “Vaccine is too expensive” (15.7%). No woman had vaccinated their child aged 9-15. Among women who only had at least one daughter younger than 9 (n=278), 74% answered that they would get their daughter vaccinated if they were pre-adolescents. Conclusions: In Argentina, the potential acceptability of the vaccine is high, given that there is acceptance among the professional community, physicians recommend it, and vaccine is affordable.