Open AccessNurses’ and teachers’ perceived barriers and facilitators to the uptake of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination program in Iquitos, Peru: A qualitative study
Author(s) -
Anna Clavé Llavall,
Gilles de Wildt,
Graciela Meza,
Jasmine Tattsbridge,
Laura Jones
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0255218
Subject(s) - vaccination , grassroots , cervical cancer , qualitative research , medicine , family medicine , informed consent , nursing , alternative medicine , immunology , cancer , political science , sociology , social science , pathology , politics , law
Globally, over 300,000 women die of cervical cancer annually. Given that human papillomavirus vaccines are highly effective in the primary prevention of cervical cancer, it is important to explore the barriers and facilitators to vaccination uptake in areas where the burden of disease remains high. This study, informed by the socio-ecological model, aimed to qualitatively explore vaccination uptake via in-depth interviews with eleven nurses and ten teachers involved in vaccine delivery in Iquitos, Peru. The results highlighted that vaccine uptake was influenced by multiple factors including individuals’ knowledge and attitudes, community beliefs, geography, and policy level variables. Findings suggested that professionals were informed and supportive of the HPV vaccination program but perceived that parents were uninformed about the vaccine. There is a need for community education programs, for a revision of the process of obtaining parental consent, for improved communication between professionals and for involvement of grassroots staff in policy making.