Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a major issue in general practice. Regarding human papillomavirus, less than 20% of young French girls are vaccinated. With widespread availability of health information, the Internet seems to be a place of choice to discuss this reluctance. The main objective of this study was to explore perceptions of human papillomavirus vaccination through an analysis of the Doctissimo.fr forum data.
Methods: Using Nvivo software, a qualitative study was carried out from October 2017 to May 2018 on the Doctissimo.fr discussion forum. Online discussion threads not having any message since 2010 were excluded. All threads were analyzed by two independent evaluators.
Results: Faced with the doubt that emanated from the discussions and the confusion about the role of the vaccine, Internet users used multiple references in order to develop a reliable discourse. The general practitioner remained a trusted person. While the vaccine was perceived as risky, the cervical smear was approved and encouraged. Although the vaccine remained a feminine concern, males also entered this debate. Through their shared experiences, Internet users tried to influence others about whether or not to get vaccinated.
Conclusion: Changing the sexual image of the vaccine could help to establish a collective vaccination policy. Public health policies play an essential role by working with general practitioners and by increasing visibility on the web. The usefulness of the vaccine in 2019 seems to be questioned by Internet users as shown by their major approval of cervical smears. However, these two methods remain complementary in the fight against cervical cancer.
Keywords: General practice; Human papillomavirus; Internet; Médecine générale; Médias sociaux; Papillomavirus humain; Social media; Vaccination.
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