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Murciano-Gamborino C, Diez-Domingo J, Fons-Martinez J. Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives on HPV Recommendations: Themes of Interest to Different Population Groups and Strategies for Approaching Them. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:748. [PMID: 39066386 PMCID: PMC11281591 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12070748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
As a flagship of the Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, the European Commission supports EU member states' efforts to strengthen and expand the routine vaccination of girls and boys against human papillomavirus (HPV). Populations across Europe have grown in diversity, and health systems must adapt to meet the specific needs of increasing diversity. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) must strive to communicate HPV vaccine information in a culturally sensitive manner and address specific concerns related to cultural beliefs, trust in health systems and perceived risks. The objectives of this exploratory study are to identify which themes are most frequently raised during the recommendation of vaccination to minors based on the characteristics of the population (religion, region of origin, gender, level of education and language proficiency) and to collect strategies to improve communication with a diverse population. A survey was distributed through various European public health institutions to HCPs in the region and their networks. The survey included multi-response questions (themes addressed during vaccination recommendation based on population characteristics) and open-ended questions (own qualitative comments and strategies). The most common issues that arise during vaccine recommendation are a lack of knowledge, followed by misinformation. Differences were detected according to the population characteristics. Suggested strategies to improve HPV vaccine recommendation focused on the following aspects: affordability; sexuality and gender; communication platforms; multilingualism; quality of care; school collaboration. HCPs report differences according to the characteristics of the population receiving the recommendation. Personalisation of the recommendations would help to optimise the decision-making process for some groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Murciano-Gamborino
- The Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region (FISABIO), 46020 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Javier Diez-Domingo
- The Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region (FISABIO), 46020 Valencia, Spain;
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Fons-Martinez
- The Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region (FISABIO), 46020 Valencia, Spain;
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Chyderiotis S, Derhy S, Gaillot J, Cobigo A, Zanetti L, Piel C, Mueller JE. Providing parents with HPV vaccine information from a male perspective may render them more inclined to have their daughters vaccinated. Infect Dis Now 2024; 54:104908. [PMID: 38604410 DOI: 10.1016/j.idnow.2024.104908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Several high-income countries have implemented a gender-neutral vaccination program against human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. The impact of a gender-neutral program (GNP) on parental intention to vaccinate their daughters has not been studied, especially in countries with low HPV vaccine coverage among girls. PATIENTS AND METHODS In July 2019, before a GNP was implemented in France (2021), the French National Cancer Institute (INCa) conducted a survey on HPV vaccine acceptance among parents of children aged 11-19 years living in France. In the sample of girls' parents (n = 1424 parents, 1726 girls), we investigated whether parents who declared no initial intention to have their daughter(s) vaccinated changed their minds after reading information including a male perspective on HPV consisting in description of HPV-related disease among men and in ascertainment of the fact that in some countries, the HPV vaccine is recommended for boys, after which they were once again asked about their intentions "if the vaccine were recommended to boys and girls alike". RESULTS As regards 295 (25.7 %) of the 1147 unvaccinated girls, their parents declared no intention to have them vaccinated, while 509 (44.4 %) were not sure. Among the parents of the 804 girls whose parents had not intended to have them vaccinated, 134 (16.7 %) changed their minds after reading about HPV among men. Fathers were more likely than mothers to change their minds, and finally intend to have their daughters vaccinated (adjusted relative risk, 1.74 [95 % confidence interval, 1.20,2.54]). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that parents, and fathers in particular, could be more motivated to have their daughters vaccinated against HPV if the information with which they were provided included a male perspective and a recommendation of vaccination for boys as well as girls.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Derhy
- French National Cancer Institute (INCa), Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Julie Gaillot
- French National Cancer Institute (INCa), Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Alexandre Cobigo
- French National Cancer Institute (INCa), Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Laura Zanetti
- French National Authority for Health, St-Denis la Plaine, France
| | - Clément Piel
- French National Authority for Health, St-Denis la Plaine, France
| | - Judith E Mueller
- Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; EHESP French School of Public Health, Paris and Rennes, France
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Gendler Y, Blau A. Exploring Cultural and Religious Effects on HPV Vaccination Decision Making Using a Web-Based Decision Aid: A Quasi-experimental Study. Med Decis Making 2024; 44:426-436. [PMID: 38600776 DOI: 10.1177/0272989x241240466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human papillomavirus (HPV) poses a significant public health concern, as it is linked to various serious health conditions such as cancer and genital warts. Despite the vaccine's safety, efficacy, and availability through national school programs, HPV vaccination rates remain low in Israel, particularly within the ultra-Orthodox community due to religious and cultural barriers. Decision aids have shown promise in facilitating shared decision making and promoting informed choices in health care. This study aimed to assess the impact of a novel Web-based decision aid on HPV vaccination intentions, knowledge, decision self-efficacy, and decisional conflict among Israeli parents and young adults, with a specific focus on exploring differences between religious groups. METHODS Two Web-based decision aids were developed for parents of children aged 10 to 17 y (n = 120) and young adults aged 18 to 26 y (n = 160). A quasi-experimental study was conducted among Hebrew-speaking parents and young adults eligible for HPV vaccination. Participants completed pre- and postintervention questionnaires assessing vaccination intentions, knowledge about HPV, decision self-efficacy, and decisional conflict. RESULTS The decision aid significantly improved intentions toward HPV vaccination among most religious groups, except the Jewish ultra-Orthodox community. Ultra-Orthodox participants exhibited reluctance to vaccinate themselves or their children (odds ratio [OR] = 0.23, P < 0.001 for parents' group; OR = 0.43, P < 0.001 for young adults' group). Parental preference for vaccinating girls over boys (OR = 2.66, P < 0.001) and increased inclination for vaccination among Muslim-Arabs were observed (OR = 3.12, P < 0.001). Knowledge levels improved among ultra-Orthodox participants but not decisional conflict and self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS The Web-based decision aid positively influenced the quality of HPV vaccination decision making among various religious groups in Israel, except for the ultra-Orthodox community. Culturally tailored approaches that address specific community concerns are essential for informed decision making. HIGHLIGHTS Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates in Israel are substantially lower than those of other routine vaccinations, particularly among religious and ultra-Orthodox communities, largely due to sociocultural beliefs and misinformation.A newly developed Web-based decision aid was implemented in a study involving parents and young adults to evaluate its impact on vaccination intent, knowledge about HPV, decision self-efficacy, and decisional conflict.While the decision aid significantly enhanced vaccination intention, knowledge, and perceived behavioral control among various religious groups, it did not yield the same outcomes within the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community.This study highlights the vital role of cultural adaptation in HPV vaccine decision aids within Israel, revealing significant disparities in vaccination perceptions and decisions among diverse religious and cultural groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Gendler
- Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Ayala Blau
- Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
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Trangerud HA. "What is the problem with vaccines?" A typology of religious vaccine skepticism. Vaccine X 2023; 14:100349. [PMID: 37484867 PMCID: PMC10362305 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2023.100349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Research has identified religion as one of numerous factors that may contribute to delay or refusal of vaccination. The influence of religion on vaccine decisions may be accidental, or it may involve explicit religious objections. By presenting a typology of religious vaccine skepticism, this article seeks to give a comprehensive overview of the essence of these objections and to clarify differences and similarities between them. This knowledge is useful for policy-makers and others who wish to better understand the influence of religion on vaccine decision-making. The typology consists of five main types: (1) a worldview clash type, in which vaccines do not make sense as a health intervention; (2) a divine will type, which represents a form of passive fatalism; (3) an immorality type, which considers some vaccines unethical because of their production or effect; (4) an impurity type, pointing to ingredients that will defile the body; and (5) a conspiracy type, in which a vaccine plot is targeting a religious group.
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Khamisy-Farah R, Endrawis M, Odeh M, Tuma R, Riccò M, Chirico F, Bragazzi NL. Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Attitudes, and Practices Towards Anti-HPV Vaccination Among Israeli Nurses. JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER EDUCATION 2023:10.1007/s13187-023-02281-0. [PMID: 36914922 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-023-02281-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a small, non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus, belonging to the family of Papillomaviridae. It is a highly common infectious agent, which causes one of the most widespread sexually transmitted infections (STIs), involving approximately 20% of sexually active female adolescents and up to 80% of female adults aged 50 years. There exist two major preventative strategies: namely, anti-HPV vaccination and cervical screening. Healthcare providers, including nurses, can play a crucial role in HPV immunization campaigns, counteracting vaccine hesitancy and doing advocacy and counseling. To explore the overall knowledge of HPV and HPV-related issues, as well as the attitudes and practices of Israeli nurses, a modified and adapted, previously validated knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) questionnaire was administered to a sample of 565 participants, 481 female (85.1%) and 84 male (14.9%). Most of them were married (n = 428, 75.8%), with more than 5 years of experience (n = 405, 71.7%), working in the general/internal medicine ward (n = 432, 76.5%), and Jewish (n = 352, 62.3%). Only 87 nurses (15.4%) got vaccinated against HPV. Forty-four (9.1%) of the female nurses never underwent a Pap smear. Higher percentages of right replies were reported only for the item related to available preventative strategies for cervical cancer (82.1% versus 17.9%). Higher percentages of wrong replies were reported for items related to body regions that can be infected by HPV (60.5% versus 39.5%), percentage of girls aged 15-18 years being sexually active (68.0% versus 32.0%). Similar percentages of right and wrong replies were reported for items related to whom the Pap test is recommended (52.7% versus 47.3%), Israeli Ministry of Health's guidelines for anti-HPV vaccination (50.4% versus 49.6%), and percentage of boys aged 15-18 years being sexually active (44.4% versus 55.6%). Concerning the reliability of the third section of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha was deemed to be acceptable (α = 0.64). Statistically significant determinants of reporting lower scores in HPV-related attitudes and practices were religion (OR 1.44 [95%CI 1.02-2.04]), and male offspring (OR 1.22 [1.03-1.44]). This study has important implications for policy- and decision-makers in that they should be aware of the overall poor and unsatisfactory level of HPV-related knowledge among Israeli nurses and implement multipronged HPV vaccine promotion programs, taking into account the challenges of a multicultural and diverse society like Israel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rola Khamisy-Farah
- Clalit Health Service, Akko, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, 13100, Safed, Israel.
| | - Maher Endrawis
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, 13100, Safed, Israel
| | - Marwan Odeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Galilee Medical Center, 22100, Nahariya, Galilee, Israel
| | - Ruba Tuma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Galilee Medical Center, 22100, Nahariya, Galilee, Israel
| | - Matteo Riccò
- Local Health Unit of Reggio Emilia-Regional Health Service of Emilia Romagna, Department of Public Health, Service for Health and Safety in the Workplace, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Francesco Chirico
- Post-Graduate School of Occupational Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Department of Woman/Child and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Health Service Department, State Police, Ministry of Interior, 20125, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (LIAM), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Wagner AL, Lu Y, Janusz CB, Pan SW, Glover B, Wu Z, Prosser LA. Preferences for Sexually Transmitted Infection and Cancer Vaccines in the United States and in China. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2023; 26:261-268. [PMID: 36055920 PMCID: PMC9908821 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2022.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study assessed preferences for hypothetical vaccines for children in 2 large vaccine markets according to how the vaccine-preventable disease is transmitted via a discrete choice experiment. METHODS Surveys in China (N = 1350) and the United States (N = 1413) were conducted from April to May 2021. The discrete choice experiment included attributes of cost, age at vaccination, transmission mode of the vaccine-preventable disease, and whether the vaccine prevents cancer. Preference utilities were modeled in a Bayesian, multinomial logistic regression model, and respondents were grouped by vaccine preference classification through a latent class analysis. RESULTS Individuals favored vaccines against diseases with transmission modes other than sexual transmission (vaccine for sexually transmitted infection [STI] vs airborne disease, in the United States, odds ratio 0.71; 95% credible interval 0.64-0.78; in China, odds ratio 0.76; 95% credible interval 0.69-0.84). The latent class analysis revealed 6 classes: vaccine rejecters (19% in the United States and 8% in China), careful deciders (18% and 17%), preferring cancer vaccination (20% and 19%), preferring vaccinating children at older ages (10% and 11%), preferring vaccinating older ages, but indifferent about cancer vaccines (23% and 25%), and preferring vaccinating children at younger ages (10% and 19%). Vaccine rejection was higher with age in the United States versus more vaccine rejection among those at the age of 18 to 24 and ≥ 64 years in China. CONCLUSION The public had strong preferences against giving their child an STI vaccine, and the class preferring a cancer vaccine was less accepting of an STI vaccine. Overall, this study points to the need for more education about how some STI vaccines could also prevent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abram L Wagner
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Yihan Lu
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University School of Public Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Cara B Janusz
- Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Stephen W Pan
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Brian Glover
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Zhenke Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lisa A Prosser
- Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Muravsky NL, Betesh GM, McCoy RG. Religious Doctrine and Attitudes Toward Vaccination in Jewish Law. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2023; 62:373-388. [PMID: 34708328 PMCID: PMC8549591 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01447-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Individual and herd immunity against communicable diseases requires high rates of timely and complete vaccination, particularly in closely knit communities, densely populated areas, and places with high influx of potentially infected individuals. Recent outbreaks of COVID-19 and, previously, measles in religious Jewish communities of New York, as well as the rise of vaccine hesitancy in faith communities, call for the examination of Jewish attitudes toward vaccination. In this article, we examine religious doctrine and guidance on vaccination in Orthodox (including Modern Orthodox, Chabad-Lubavich, and Ultra-Orthodox), Conservative, and Reform denominations of Judaism and apply these principles to vaccinations against measles, human papillomavirus (HPV), and COVID-19. We found that the leaders and scholars in these three major denominations of Judaism are uniform in their strong support, often to the point of mandate, for the principles of vaccination. Support for vaccination is deeply rooted in the Torah, Jewish law, and contemporary rulings of poskim (Jewish legal scholars). These principles are applied by each denomination in strong support of measles and COVID-19 vaccination, though there is less certainty in their support of vaccination against HPV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Grace M Betesh
- Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Rozalina G McCoy
- Division of Community Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
- Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Huang Z, Ji M, Ren J, Sun X, Boulton ML, Zikmund-Fisher BJ, Wagner AL. Effect of the framing of HPV vaccination on parents' willingness to accept an HPV vaccine. Vaccine 2022; 40:897-903. [PMID: 34996644 PMCID: PMC8816874 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.12.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In China, HPV vaccines are not mandatory and have low uptake. In light of the U.S.'s experience in rolling out the vaccine with an initial focus primarily on HPV as a sexually transmitted infection but transitioning later to cancer messaging, we used a multifactorial experiment to create several different messages about the HPV vaccine across age, communicability, and cancer domains. In this study, we assess the effect of the different messages on willingness to accept an HPV vaccine, and characterize how parental sociodemographics and the age/gender of a child also impact willingness to obtain an HPV vaccine. In total, 1,021 parents of children aged<18 years old in Shanghai, China were randomized to receive a message about cancer (HPV causes cervical cancers vs cancers in general), infectiousness (HPV is sexually transmitted, or is an infectious disease in general, or not mentioned), and recommended age of vaccination (before middle school, before college/work, or not mentioned). Parents were asked if they would vaccinate a hypothetical son or daughter of different ages 6, 12, or 18 years old). In a multivariable logistic regression model adjusting for parental sociodemographic characteristics, parents were more likely to want to vaccinate a daughter vs a son, and an older vs younger child. Messaging had some effect in certain circumstances: parents were more likely to accept a vaccine for a 6-year-old son if given information that it protected against cancers in general. Providing information about a sexually transmitted infection led to higher willingness to vaccinate a son 6 years old and a daughter 6 or 12 years old. This study showed messaging had some limited impact on willingness to vaccinate against HPV, but more research is needed on how to increase uptake of the HPV vaccine when it is not publicly funded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoying Huang
- Department of Immunization Program, Shanghai Municipal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, NO. 1380, West Zhongshan Road, 200336, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengdi Ji
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jia Ren
- Department of Immunization Program, Shanghai Municipal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, NO. 1380, West Zhongshan Road, 200336, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Department of Immunization Program, Shanghai Municipal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, NO. 1380, West Zhongshan Road, 200336, Shanghai, China
| | - Matthew L. Boulton
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Brian J. Zikmund-Fisher
- Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Abram L. Wagner
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Vickram A, Dhama K, Thanigaivel S, Chakraborty S, Anbarasu K, Dey N, Karunakaran R. Strategies for successful designing of immunocontraceptive vaccines and recent updates in vaccine development against sexually transmitted infections - A Review. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:2033-2046. [PMID: 35531220 PMCID: PMC9073025 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Objective Methods Results Conclusion
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Affiliation(s)
- A.S. Vickram
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh 243122, India
| | - S. Thanigaivel
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sandip Chakraborty
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Sciences &, Animal Husbandry, R.K.Nagar, West Tripura, Pin- 799008, India
| | - K. Anbarasu
- Department of Bioinformatics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Nibedita Dey
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rohini Karunakaran
- Unit of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, Semeling, Bedong, Kedah, Malaysia
- Corresponding author.
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Evans S, Klas A, Mikocka-Walus A, German B, Rogers G, Ling M, Fernando J, Kothe E, Westrupp E. "Poison" or "protection"? A mixed methods exploration of Australian parents' COVID-19 vaccination intentions. J Psychosom Res 2021; 150:110626. [PMID: 34583017 PMCID: PMC8503786 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The success of COVID-19 vaccination programs relies on community attitudes, yet little is known about parents' views. We aimed to explore the reasons behind Australian parents' vaccine intentions for themselves and for their children. METHOD This mixed methods study relates to Wave 13 (January 2021) of a longitudinal study of Australian parents' experiences during COVID-19 and contained 1094 participants (83% mothers). We used multinomial logistic regression to understand demographic predictors of vaccine intention, and a descriptive template thematic analysis to analyse open-ended questions about parents' reasons for vaccine intentions for themselves and their children. RESULTS 64% of Australian parents intend on vaccination, 26% are unsure and 9% intend to decline; 48% intend to vaccinate their children, 38% are unsure, and 14% intend to decline. Relative to those intending to vaccinate, parents unsure (OR = -0.63, 95% CI: 0.46, -0.84, p = .002) or not intending (OR = -0.41, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.67 p < .001) to vaccinate were more likely to have lower trust in doctors. Similar predictors emerged for parents who did not intend to vaccinate their children (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.31, 0.70, p < .001). Qualitative data indicated that many parents had not made a firm decision, including a lack of alignment between intentions and reasons. For example, parents who said 'yes' to vaccination, often then expressed hesitance and a focus on risks in their written response. Reasons for hesitancy for themselves included concerns about testing, side effects, and long-term outcomes. Similar themes were present for children, but parents expressed a strong desire to protect their children, and an eagerness for health information. CONCLUSION Based on prior research and the themes identified here, a multipronged campaign that includes education/promotion, good access to vaccines and role models, is likely to support parents to make informed decisions regarding COVID-19 vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Evans
- Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Victoria, Australia,Corresponding author at: School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
| | - A. Klas
- Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Victoria, Australia,Deakin University, Misinformation Lab, School of Psychology, Victoria, Australia
| | - A. Mikocka-Walus
- Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Victoria, Australia
| | - B. German
- Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Victoria, Australia
| | - G.D. Rogers
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
| | - M. Ling
- Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Victoria, Australia,Deakin University, Misinformation Lab, School of Psychology, Victoria, Australia
| | - J.W. Fernando
- Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Victoria, Australia
| | - E. Kothe
- Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Victoria, Australia,Deakin University, Misinformation Lab, School of Psychology, Victoria, Australia
| | - E.M. Westrupp
- Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Victoria, Australia,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
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Lau BHP, Liu L, Chan CHY, Chan CLW, Ong JJ, Holroyd E, Wong WCW. De-Sexualizing Partner Notification: A Qualitative Study on Chinese Young Adults with Chlamydia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18084032. [PMID: 33921269 PMCID: PMC8070504 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18084032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background: Chlamydia is common amongst the sexually active population in Hong Kong. As most cases are asymptomatic, partner notification may be helpful in controlling chlamydia. This study examined attitudes towards partner notification for chlamydia among Hong Kong Chinese youths in order to inform a culturally appropriate, patient-empowering sexual health service. Methods: Sixteen individuals (aged 20 to 31) who received a confirmed diagnosis of chlamydia within the previous twelve months of data collection were recruited from two community-based organizations between June and December 2017. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted by a health psychologist. Results: Nine participants notified a total of eleven current and ex-partners. Seven participants did not notify their sexual partner(s). Our findings revealed how participants struggled with the discrediting sexual aspect of their infection, and how de-sexualizing the infection and selected disclosure facilitated partner notification and social acceptance. Perceived stigma regarding chlamydia however did not dissipate with their disclosure. Participants did not perceive lasting impact of chlamydia on their well-being as they thought they have much control over whether and how to disclose to their (future) partners. All participants agreed there was a pressing need to raise public awareness on this silent but highly prevalent sexually transmitted infection. Conclusions: Our findings illustrate the complex struggle behind communicating about chlamydia to one’s sexual partner and how strategizing the disclosure process served to circumvent embarrassment and foster testing of sexual partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bobo H. P. Lau
- Department of Counselling & Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong Kong;
| | - Lucia Liu
- Ho Yuk Ching Educational Psychology Service Centre, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Hong Kong;
| | - Celia H. Y. Chan
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, and Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; (C.H.Y.C.); (C.L.W.C.)
| | - Cecilia L. W. Chan
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, and Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; (C.H.Y.C.); (C.L.W.C.)
| | - Jason J. Ong
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia;
| | - Eleanor Holroyd
- Department of Nursing, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1142, New Zealand;
| | - William C. W. Wong
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +852-2518-5657
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Stein-Zamir C, Rishpon S. The National Immunization Technical Advisory Group in Israel. Isr J Health Policy Res 2021; 10:7. [PMID: 33499907 PMCID: PMC7835647 DOI: 10.1186/s13584-021-00442-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) are defined by the World Health Organization as multidisciplinary groups of health experts who are involved in the development of a national immunization policy. The NITAG has the responsibility to provide independent, evidence-informed advice to the policy makers and national programme managers, on policy issues and questions related to immunization and vaccines.This paper aims to describe the NITAG in Israel. The Israeli NITAG was established by the Ministry of Health in1974. The NITAG's full formal name is "the Advisory Committee on Infectious Diseases and Immunizations in Israel". The NITAG is charged with prioritizing choices while granting maximal significance to the national public health considerations. Since 2007, the full minutes of the NITAG's meetings have been publicly available on the committee's website (at the Ministry of Health website, in Hebrew).According to the National Health Insurance Law, all residents of Israel are entitled to receive universal health coverage. The health services basket includes routine childhood immunizations, as well as several adult and post - exposure vaccinations. The main challenge currently facing the NITAG is establishing a process for introducing new vaccines and updating the vaccination schedule through the annual update of the national health basket. In the context of the annual update, vaccines have to "compete" with multiple medications and technologies which are presented to the basket committee for inclusion in the national health basket. Over the years, the Israeli NITAG's recommendations have proved essential for vaccine introduction and scheduling and for communicable diseases control on a national level. The NITAG has established structured and transparent working processes and a decision framework according to WHO standards, which is evidence-based and country-specific to Israel.The recent global COVID-19 pandemic is a major concern for all countries as well as a challenge for NITAGs. Currently, the NITAGs have a key role in advising both on sustainment of the routine immunization programs and on planning of the COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, with ongoing updates and collaboration with the Ministry of Health and health organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Stein-Zamir
- The Israeli NITAG, Jerusalem, Israel.
- Jerusalem District Health Office, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel.
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Medicine, Braun School of Public and Community Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Shmuel Rishpon
- The Israeli NITAG, Jerusalem, Israel
- Haifa District Health Office, Ministry of Health, Haifa, Israel
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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Chodick G, Teper GR, Levi S, Kopel H, Kleinbort A, Khen E, Schejter E, Shalev V, Stein M, Lewis N. The impact of a Facebook campaign among mothers on HPV vaccine uptake among their daughters: A randomized field study. Gynecol Oncol 2020; 160:106-111. [PMID: 33162176 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.10.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The popularity of social networks provide an incredible opportunity to enhance the impact of preventive medicine programs. We aimed to assess whether a targeted Facebook campaign among mothers may increase the uptake of human Papilloma virus (HPV) immunization among their 8th-grade daughters. METHODS This field study was conducted among the members of a state-mandated health organization in Israel. Included were all 21,592 members who were mothers to 14 year-old daughters in the 2018-19 school-year. A total of 17,271 (80%) were randomly allocated to the campaign arm and the rest (n=4,321) were selected as a reference group. The Facebook ads addressed issues and concerns regarding HPV-related diseases and HPV vaccine. Main outcome measures were Facebook metrics on exposure to campaign and HPV immunization among eighth grade daughters of the study participants. RESULTS Between 8/2018-10/2018, Facebook ads were shown 1.8-million times (a reach of 88%). The uptake of HPV vaccine among daughters of women allocated to the campaign arm (55.3%) was similar (p = 0.749) to 55.0% in the control group. The only significant differences between study groups were observed when stratifying by SES level. In the lowest SES quartile, Facebook campaign significantly (p = .02) reduced vaccine uptake (35% vs. 39.0%), with a relative risk of 0.90 (95%CI: 0.82-0.98), while in the second SES quartile, Facebook campaign increased vaccine uptake from 52.6% to 55.8%, with a RR of 1.06 (95%CI,1.00-1.12). Among mothers in higher SES levels, daughters of exposed and unexposed mothers had similar immunization rates. CONCLUSIONS Facebook campaign may increase the uptake of HPV vaccine among daughters to mothers of medium-to-low SES level, but it may reduce vaccination among lower SES groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Chodick
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Maccabi Institute for Research & Innovation, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Eduardo Schejter
- Maccabi Institute for Research & Innovation, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Varda Shalev
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Maccabi Institute for Research & Innovation, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michal Stein
- Infectious diseases and infection control unit, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel; Rappaport faculty of medicine, Technion institute, Israel
| | - Nehama Lewis
- Department of Communication, Haifa University, Haifa, Israel
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Brandl M, Schmidt AJ, Marcus U, an der Heiden M, Dudareva S. Are men who have sex with men in Europe protected from hepatitis B? Epidemiol Infect 2020; 148:e27. [PMID: 32052715 PMCID: PMC7026898 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268820000163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for men who have sex with men (MSM) in many countries, but information on vaccine coverage is scarce. We studied hepatitis B vaccination programmes and coverage among MSM in Europe to guide prevention. From a large (N = 174 209) pan-European MSM survey (EMIS-2010), we used data on self-reported hepatitis B vaccination, age, education, settlement size and disclosure of the same-sex sexual orientation ('outness'). We excluded participants with a history of hepatitis B. In multilevel (participants, countries) logistic regression models, we calculated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). We analysed data of 163 987 MSM in 38 European countries: 38.3% were 'out' to all or almost all, 56.4% reported vaccination against hepatitis B and 65.5% lived in countries with free recommended hepatitis B vaccination for MSM. In the final model the odds for being vaccinated increased with outness ('out to all or almost all': aOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.70-1.83 vs. 'out to no one') and with living in countries, where hepatitis B vaccination was recommended and free-of-charge for MSM (aOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.47-3.32 vs. 'no or unclear recommendation'). To increase hepatitis B vaccination coverage among MSM, implementation of MSM-specific recommendations and improvement of the societal climate for MSM is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Brandl
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - A. J. Schmidt
- Sigma Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
| | - U. Marcus
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - M. an der Heiden
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - S. Dudareva
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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Khamisy-Farah R, Adawi M, Jeries-Ghantous H, Bornstein J, Farah R, Bragazzi NL, Odeh M. Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Attitudes and Practices Towards Anti-HPV Vaccination Among Israeli Pediatricians, Gynecologists, and Internal Medicine Doctors: Development and Validation of an Ad Hoc Questionnaire. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:E157. [PMID: 31640127 PMCID: PMC6963669 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7040157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly widespread virus which is responsible for one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Two main preventative strategies exist: anti-HPV vaccination and cervical screening. Health-care workers play a key role in promoting public health campaigns; however, vaccine hesitancy is an often under-recognized challenge. To investigate the overall knowledge of HPV and HPV-related issues, as well as the attitudes and practices of health professionals towards recommending the anti-HPV vaccine, an ad hoc knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) questionnaire was developed and validated in a sample of 139 Israeli pediatricians, gynecologists, and internal medicine doctors. The KAP questionnaire was found to be psychometrically valid and sound (with an rKR-20 coefficient of 0.74 for the second part and a Cronbach's alpha of 0.85 for the third part). Furthermore, the present study confirmed the importance of health-care providers in recommending the immunization practice. Parents that had been strongly advised by health-care providers to vaccinate their children accepted immunization for their girls (odds ratio (OR) 1.09 (95% CI 1.04-1.14)) and boys (OR 1.06 (95% CI 1.02-1.10)), had a lower probability of deciding to postpone the immunization appointment (OR 0.81 (95% CI 0.66-0.98)), had fewer doubts and concerns about the vaccine (OR 0.69 (95% CI 0.54-0.89)), and had a lower probability of refusing the vaccination (OR 0.93 (95% CI 0.86-0.99)). Interestingly, the use of new, emerging tools such as ad hoc websites, applications, and other interactive devices reduced vaccine hesitancy (OR 0.90 (95% CI 0.82-0.99)) and concerns about the side-effects of the vaccine (OR 0.92 (95% CI 0.86-0.99)). However, among Israeli health-care workers, knowledge was generally moderate, with updated information lacking in about 30% of surveyed health-care providers and approximately 20% of them not recommending the anti-HPV vaccine among boys. This study has practical implications for policy- and decision-makers in that they should be aware of the overall level of knowledge among health-care workers and should implement ad hoc educational interventions to address gaps in knowledge and help medical providers routinely recommend the anti-HPV vaccine both to male and female children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rola Khamisy-Farah
- Clalit Health Service, Akko, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 13100, Israel.
| | - Mohammad Adawi
- Department of Medicine, Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel.
| | - Haneen Jeries-Ghantous
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya 22100, Galilee, Israel.
- Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed 13100, Israel.
| | - Jacob Bornstein
- Department of Internal Medicine B, Ziv Medical Center, Safed-Israel, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 13100, Israel.
| | - Raymond Farah
- Department of Internal Medicine B, Ziv Medical Center, Safed-Israel, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 13100, Israel.
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (LIAM), York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada.
| | - Marwan Odeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya 22100, Galilee, Israel.
- Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed 13100, Israel.
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Petousis-Harris H, Radcliff FJ. Exploitation of Neisseria meningitidis Group B OMV Vaccines Against N. gonorrhoeae to Inform the Development and Deployment of Effective Gonorrhea Vaccines. Front Immunol 2019; 10:683. [PMID: 31024540 PMCID: PMC6465565 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Have potential clues to an effective gonorrhea vaccine been lurking in international disease surveillance data for decades? While no clinically effective vaccines against gonorrhea have been developed we present direct and indirect evidence that a vaccine is not only possible, but may already exist. Experience from Cuba, New Zealand, and Canada suggest that vaccines containing Group B Neisseria meningitides outer membrane vesicles (OMV) developed to control type-specific meningococcal disease may also prevent a significant proportion of gonorrhea. The mechanisms for this phenomenon have not yet been elucidated but we present some strategies for unraveling potential cross protective antigens and effector immune responses by exploiting stored sera from clinical trials and individuals primed with a meningococcal group B OMV vaccine (MeNZB). Elucidating these will contribute to the ongoing development of high efficacy vaccine options for gonorrhea. While the vaccine used in New Zealand, where the strongest empirical evidence has been gathered, is no longer available, the OMV has been included in the multi component recombinant meningococcal vaccine 4CMenB (Bexsero) which is now licensed and used in numerous countries. Several lines of evidence suggest it has the potential to affect gonorrhea prevalence. A vaccine to control gonorrhea does not need to be perfect and modeling supports that even a moderately efficacious vaccine could make a significant impact in disease prevalence. How might we use an off the shelf vaccine to reduce the burden of gonorrhea? What are some of the potential societal barriers in a world where vaccine hesitancy is growing? We summarize the evidence and consider some of the remaining questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Petousis-Harris
- Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Fiona J Radcliff
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Perez S, Zimet GD, Tatar O, Stupiansky NW, Fisher WA, Rosberger Z. Human Papillomavirus Vaccines: Successes and Future Challenges. Drugs 2018; 78:1385-1396. [DOI: 10.1007/s40265-018-0975-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Abstract
The major impediment to increased human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage in young males and females is lack of health care provider recommendation. Despite its efficacy in preventing cervical cancer, HPV vaccination in females (49.5%) and males (37.5%) ages 13 through 17 falls well below the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Healthy People 2020 target of 80% coverage. Parents' willingness to vaccinate their child has been shown to be much higher when physicians share personal vaccination decisions for their own children as well as what other parents have done at that particular clinic. Furthermore, the vaccine must be presented presumptively as a "bundle" along with the rest of the standard adolescent vaccine panel. Multiple exemplars presented including in several European countries, low-income countries and Rwanda, demonstrate that school-based health care systems dramatically increase vaccination coverage. Finally, acceptability for vaccination of males must improve by increasing provider recommendation and by presenting the HPV vaccine as a penile, anal and oropharyngeal cancer prevention therapy in males and not merely a vaccine to prevent cervical cancers in females. Paediatricians, obstetrician/gynaecologists and primary care physicians should consider these data as a call-to-action. Key messages • Despite recent efforts in the US, only 49.5% of females and only 37.5% of males ages 13 through 17 have received all recommended HPV vaccine doses. These numbers fall well below the 80% target set forth by the Healthy People 2020 initiative. • According to the CDC, if health care providers increase HPV vaccination rates in eligible recipients to 80%, it is estimated that an additional 53,000 cases of cervical cancer could be prevented during the lifetime of those younger than 12 years. Furthermore, for every year that the vaccination rate does not increase, an additional 4400 women will develop cervical cancer. • First and foremost, healthcare providers (HCPs) must make a strong recommendation to vaccinate patients and these recommendations must become routine, including for males. • It is clear that HPV vaccination rates improve significantly when vaccine administration occurs at designated, well-organized sites such as school-based vaccination programmes. Furthermore, HPV vaccination should be a high school requirement and offered in the standard adolescent vaccine panel as a bundle with Tdap and MenACWY vaccines in order to promote maximum adherence. • Finally, research on immunogenicity and antibody titre longevity needs to be done in newborns. The HPV vaccine may be recommended in the newborn panel of vaccines to avoid any issues of sexualization and misplaced fears of sexual disinhibition, akin to the success of the Hepatitis B vaccine in the 1980s. • The HPV vaccine is a vaccine against cancer and should be aggressively marketed as such. As healthcare providers, we need to make every effort to overcome barriers, real or perceived, to protecting our population from potential morbidity and mortality associated with this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aria C Attia
- a Department of Medicine , Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Judith Wolf
- a Department of Medicine , Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Ana E Núñez
- a Department of Medicine , Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia , PA , USA
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Rosen B, Israeli A. Updates and reflections about the IJHPR, on the eve of its seventh year. Isr J Health Policy Res 2017; 6:70. [PMID: 29284517 PMCID: PMC5745735 DOI: 10.1186/s13584-017-0196-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Israel Journal of Health Policy Research (IJHPR) will soon be completing 6 years of publication. During this period, it has published well over 300 articles and has become a stable and vital part of Israeli health care. The number of IJHPR articles published annually has increased significantly over time, and the number of submissions has increased even more significantly. The journal is regularly drawing submissions from a very broad range of Israeli universities, hospitals, health plans, and other institutions, and from leading institutions abroad. The journal’s articles cover a wide spectrum of subjects related to health policy, as reflected in the diversity of the article collections that the journal has launched to date. True to its mission statement, the IJHPR is promoting “intensive intellectual interactions among scholars and practitioners from Israel and other countries regarding all aspects of health policy”. The journal has been indexed in all of the leading international academic databases and its current impact factor (1.36) puts it in the third quartile in two key Web of Science subject categories. Several IJHPR articles have been accessed over 10,000 times and the IJHPR has become the predominant vehicle in which Israeli scholars are publishing articles with a health policy orientation. IJHPR articles are also figuring prominently in many course syllabi in Israel, and Israeli universities have incorporated IJHPR publications into assessments of faculty members for promotion. The journal’s success and progress are a part of a larger trend of greater reliance on data and analysis in health policymaking in Israel and the increasing prominence of health in the Israeli policy agenda and public discourse. During the journal’s seventh year, its editors will be carrying out a serious assessment of the challenges and opportunities ahead and developing an updated plan for the journal’s development. In doing so, they will draw on data presented in this editorial as well as on in-depth discussions with those who have contributed to the journal’s success to date: it publisher, sponsor, and editorial board members, as well as a sample of authors, reviewers and readers. The expectation is that, by working together, it will be possible to take the journal to new heights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Rosen
- Smokler Center for Health Policy Research, Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute, JDC Hill, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Avi Israeli
- Hadassah - Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.,Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
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Dempsey AF. On the implications of desexualizing vaccines against sexually transmitted diseases: reflections from a practicing pediatrician. Isr J Health Policy Res 2017; 6:56. [PMID: 29029645 PMCID: PMC5639772 DOI: 10.1186/s13584-017-0181-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination holds great promise for drastically reducing the incidence of HPV-associated cancers of the genital tract, and possibly also certain head and neck cancers. Unfortunately, rates of HPV vaccine utilization among adolescents are low in many countries. Many research studies have identified the fact that HPV is a sexually transmitted infection as a barrier to higher vaccination rates. This is related to providers' and parents' reluctance to discuss or consider the burgeoning sexuality of their child. An approach suggested to overcome this barrier is to "desexualize" the vaccine. This entails focusing discussions and public messages on the cancer-preventing properties of the vaccine and ignoring or minimizing information about HPV's sexual transmissibility. In an article by Velan and Yadgar, the authors argue that this approach does more harm than good. This associated commentary offers a slightly different viewpoint from one who has been "in the trenches" both clinically and from a research standpoint for many years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda F Dempsey
- University of Colorado Denver, 13199 East Montview Blvd, Suite 300, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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