The influencing factors in intention making-decision of Human papillomavirus vaccine in Chinese college students: A qualitative study.

Abstract

College students are considered as a high-risk age group for contracting HPV. HPV vaccines are proved to play a major role in preventing Cervical cancer and related cancers among both men and women. This study aimed to explore influencing factors in intention making-decision of Human papillomavirus vaccine in Chinese college students. A descriptive qualitative research based on naturalistic inquiry in Daqing City, Heilong Jiang Province from October to November 2022 was conducted. Semi-structured interviews with Chinese college students. We used thematic framework analysis with NVivo 12.0 software to transcribe and analyze the interview recordings. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews. Four main themes with 14 subthemes were identified: (a) potential risks of HPV infection; (b) susceptibility factors of HPV infection; (c) difficulties in HPV vaccination; (d) decision support for HPV vaccination. Most college students expressed hesitancy toward receiving the HPV vaccine. The government should strengthen the advocacy of the benefits of the vaccine to increase the HPV vaccination rate. Healthcare providers and the government should take some strategies to promote facilitate factors to increase HPV vaccination rates.