Table 2.
Intentions and reasons for undergoing HPV vaccination (n=256).
| HPV vaccine intent | n (%) |
|---|---|
| Intend to undergo HPV vaccination (n=105; 41.0%) | |
| Reasons2: | |
| I am worried I might get cervical cancer | 71 (67.6) |
| I am worried I might get HPV | 69 (65.7) |
| I am worried I might get genital warts | 51 (48.6) |
| My healthcare provider recommended it to me | 42 (40.0) |
| Someone close to me had cervical cancer | 12 (11.4) |
| Other3 | 20 (19.1) |
| Do not intend to undergo HPV vaccination (n=80; 31.3%) | |
| Reasons2: | |
| Concerns about vaccine safety | 39 (48.8) |
| Concerns about vaccine side effects | 39 (48.8) |
| Out of pocket cost or insurance co-pay is too high | 33 (41.3) |
| Long term consequences of the vaccine | 32 (40.0) |
| I am not likely to get sexually transmitted infections or genital warts | 23 (28.8) |
| Insurance does not cover the vaccine | 13 (16.3) |
| Inconvenience of getting three shots | 11 (13.8) |
| I am not currently sexually active | 10 (12.5) |
| I do not like shots | 10 (12.5) |
| I am not likely to develop cervical cancer | 6 (7.5) |
| I am moving/leaving the area | 6 (7.5) |
| Religious beliefs | 2 (2.5) |
| Worried that my parents would find out | 2 (2.5) |
| Worried that my partner would find out | 1 (1.3) |
| Other4 | 21 (26.3) |
| Do not know (n=67; 26.2%) | |
1
4 (1.6%) skipped the question “Do you intend to get the HPV vaccine?”
2
Sum of columns >100% since respondents could select all reasons that applied
3
6 (30.0%) of 20 respondents who indicated “other” specified parental recommendation
4
Of the 21 respondents who indicated “other,” 6 (28.6%) specified they were in a monogamous sexual partnership, 4 (19.1%) specified need for more data on long term effectiveness of HPV vaccine, and 4 (19.1%) specified that it was “too late” for them (due previous HPV infection or number of sex partners)