E Jeannot1, C-A Wyler, A Meynard, B Kaiser, P Sudre, J Alvarin, P Chastonay. 1. Centre médical universitaire, faculté de médecine, université de Genève, institut de médecine sociale et préventive, avenue Michel-Servet 1, 1211 Genève 4, Suisse; Haute école de santé - Suisse Occidentale, avenue de Champel 47, 1206 Genève, Suisse; Service de santé de la jeunesse, département de l'instruction publique, case postale 3682, 11, rue Glacis-de-Rive, 1211 Genève 3, Suisse. Electronic address: emilien.jeannot@unige.ch.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: School vaccination programs against human papilloma virus (HPV) have been implemented in most Western countries. Only a few studies have investigated socio-economic factors related to school-based vaccination. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the vaccination cards of 1158 randomized girls aged 13 to 14 years enrolled in the public schools of the canton of Geneva. Several other socio-economic variables (nationality, socio-professional category and marital status of the parents) were collected. RESULTS: Immunization coverage for three doses of HPV vaccine was 56%. After having controlled the covariates, Portuguese adolescents (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 4.18 [1.76-9.92]), adolescents whose mothers were workers (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 1.91 [1.38-2.65]) or married (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 1.44 [1.06-1.98]) showed significantly higher immunization rates than Swiss adolescents or those whose mothers' socio-professional category was senior manager or executive. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the HPV vaccine coverage is not yet optimal in Geneva and varies significantly according to the socio-economic status, thus better promotion of HPV vaccination for certain target groups must be implemented.
BACKGROUND: School vaccination programs against human papilloma virus (HPV) have been implemented in most Western countries. Only a few studies have investigated socio-economic factors related to school-based vaccination. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the vaccination cards of 1158 randomized girls aged 13 to 14 years enrolled in the public schools of the canton of Geneva. Several other socio-economic variables (nationality, socio-professional category and marital status of the parents) were collected. RESULTS: Immunization coverage for three doses of HPV vaccine was 56%. After having controlled the covariates, Portuguese adolescents (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 4.18 [1.76-9.92]), adolescents whose mothers were workers (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 1.91 [1.38-2.65]) or married (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 1.44 [1.06-1.98]) showed significantly higher immunization rates than Swiss adolescents or those whose mothers' socio-professional category was senior manager or executive. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the HPV vaccine coverage is not yet optimal in Geneva and varies significantly according to the socio-economic status, thus better promotion of HPV vaccination for certain target groups must be implemented.