Coralia Vázquez-Otero1, Dinorah Martinez Tyson2, Cheryl A Vamos2, Nancy Romero-Daza3, Jason Beckstead4, Ellen M Daley2. 1. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., LW 633, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. vazquezotero@hsph.harvard.edu. 2. University of South Florida College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Bld., MDC 56, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA. 3. Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida College of Arts and Sciences, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., SOC 134, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA. 4. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., LW 633, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Vaccine requirements are effective population-based strategies to increase vaccination rates. In 2018, Puerto Rico's DOH announced that the HPV vaccine would be required for school entrance. This study explored arguments in favor of and against the HPV vaccine school-entry requirement in PR. METHODS: We conducted a content analysis of two Puerto Rican newspapers. Articles (n = 286) published between 1/1/2015 and 7/31/2018 containing the Spanish terms for "HPV" and "human papillomavirus" were included. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Articles that mentioned the HPV vaccine school-entry requirement (n = 33) were reviewed qualitatively using applied thematic analysis. RESULTS: The top five primary focus areas were education about HPV and the HPV vaccine, advertisements promoting the HPV vaccine, general vaccine information, cervical cancer and screening information, and the HPV vaccine school-entry requirement. Of the 33 articles that mentioned the requirement, 61% presented arguments in favor, 15% presented arguments against, 12% presented both arguments, and 12% only mentioned the existence of the requirement or were the DOH announcement. Arguments in favor centered on cancer prevention, high rates of HPV-associated cancers, and population wellness. Arguments against included worries about sexual transmission of HPV, HPV vaccine's side effects, issues related to the policy (e.g., mandatory), and lack of education. CONCLUSION: Understanding reasons people support or oppose an HPV vaccine school-entry requirement is important for the policy processes to be successful. Education efforts must continue to change the HPV vaccine narrative. Messages should be crafted to educate and gain support among parents and stakeholders towards this population-based cancer prevention strategy.
PURPOSE: Vaccine requirements are effective population-based strategies to increase vaccination rates. In 2018, Puerto Rico's DOH announced that the HPV vaccine would be required for school entrance. This study explored arguments in favor of and against the HPV vaccine school-entry requirement in PR. METHODS: We conducted a content analysis of two Puerto Rican newspapers. Articles (n = 286) published between 1/1/2015 and 7/31/2018 containing the Spanish terms for "HPV" and "human papillomavirus" were included. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Articles that mentioned the HPV vaccine school-entry requirement (n = 33) were reviewed qualitatively using applied thematic analysis. RESULTS: The top five primary focus areas were education about HPV and the HPV vaccine, advertisements promoting the HPV vaccine, general vaccine information, cervical cancer and screening information, and the HPV vaccine school-entry requirement. Of the 33 articles that mentioned the requirement, 61% presented arguments in favor, 15% presented arguments against, 12% presented both arguments, and 12% only mentioned the existence of the requirement or were the DOH announcement. Arguments in favor centered on cancer prevention, high rates of HPV-associated cancers, and population wellness. Arguments against included worries about sexual transmission of HPV, HPV vaccine's side effects, issues related to the policy (e.g., mandatory), and lack of education. CONCLUSION: Understanding reasons people support or oppose an HPV vaccine school-entry requirement is important for the policy processes to be successful. Education efforts must continue to change the HPV vaccine narrative. Messages should be crafted to educate and gain support among parents and stakeholders towards this population-based cancer prevention strategy.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cancer prevention; HPV vaccine; HPV vaccine school-entry requirement; Puerto Rico; Vaccine requirements
Authors: Ruth C Carlos; Amanda F Dempsey; Ken Resnicow; Mack Ruffin; Divya A Patel; Christopher M Straus; Dalton Vanessa K Journal: Hum Vaccin Date: 2011-02-01
Authors: Abbigail M Tissot; Gregory D Zimet; Susan L Rosenthal; David I Bernstein; Caitlin Wetzel; Jessica A Kahn Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2007-08 Impact factor: 5.012