Yukio Suzuki1, Akiko Sukegawa1, Aya Nishikawa2, Kazumi Kubota3, Yoko Motoki1, Mikiko Asai-Sato1, Yutaka Ueda4, Masayuki Sekine5, Takayuki Enomoto5, Fumiki Hirahara1, Takeharu Yamanaka3, Etsuko Miyagi1. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan. 2. Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan. 3. Department of Biostatistics, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. 5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan.
Abstract
AIM: The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rate in Japan fell to nearly 0% following widespread coverage of possible adverse events. Developing a next approach to promote the effective prevention of HPV-related diseases including cervical cancer (CC) in Japan requires comprehensive understanding of knowledge and attitudes regarding CC prevention, HPV infection and HPV vaccination among the population including laypersons and medical professions in Japan. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was administered in a wide variety of settings in Japan. The questionnaire contained items on knowledge about CC, HPV infection and HPV vaccination; awareness of the HPV vaccine's effectiveness and associated adverse events; and attitudes toward the HPV vaccination for their daughters and for men/boys. RESULTS: Of 3033 targeted people, complete survey responses were received from 1182 men and 1602 women (total: 2784). The male laypersons' group had significantly lower knowledge than did the female laypersons' group (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 3.86, P < 0.001). Compared with the male laypersons' group, the female laypersons' group tended to have less positive attitudes toward HPV vaccination for their daughters (aOR = 0.78, P = 0.006), but the female laypersons' group showed more positive attitudes toward vaccinating men/boys (aOR = 1.93, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The survey results indicated that men in Japan generally lacked knowledge and awareness of HPV-related diseases and their prevention. However, women had more negative attitudes toward HPV vaccination for their daughters than did men. Increasing male involvement in HPV prevention and changing women's perceptions of the HPV vaccine are essential steps to increase the HPV vaccination rate.
AIM: The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rate in Japan fell to nearly 0% following widespread coverage of possible adverse events. Developing a next approach to promote the effective prevention of HPV-related diseases including cervical cancer (CC) in Japan requires comprehensive understanding of knowledge and attitudes regarding CC prevention, HPV infection and HPV vaccination among the population including laypersons and medical professions in Japan. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was administered in a wide variety of settings in Japan. The questionnaire contained items on knowledge about CC, HPV infection and HPV vaccination; awareness of the HPV vaccine's effectiveness and associated adverse events; and attitudes toward the HPV vaccination for their daughters and for men/boys. RESULTS: Of 3033 targeted people, complete survey responses were received from 1182 men and 1602 women (total: 2784). The male laypersons' group had significantly lower knowledge than did the female laypersons' group (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 3.86, P < 0.001). Compared with the male laypersons' group, the female laypersons' group tended to have less positive attitudes toward HPV vaccination for their daughters (aOR = 0.78, P = 0.006), but the female laypersons' group showed more positive attitudes toward vaccinating men/boys (aOR = 1.93, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The survey results indicated that men in Japan generally lacked knowledge and awareness of HPV-related diseases and their prevention. However, women had more negative attitudes toward HPV vaccination for their daughters than did men. Increasing male involvement in HPV prevention and changing women's perceptions of the HPV vaccine are essential steps to increase the HPV vaccination rate.
Authors: Yukio Suzuki; Akiko Sukegawa; Yutaka Ueda; Masayuki Sekine; Takayuki Enomoto; Alexander Melamed; Jason D Wright; Etsuko Miyagi Journal: JMIR Public Health Surveill Date: 2022-05-25