Barriers and facilitators in uptake of human papillomavirus vaccine across English Canada: A review

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2023 Dec 31;19(1):2176640. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2176640. Epub 2023 Feb 20.

Abstract

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection that leads to preventable cancers of the mouth, throat, cervix, and genitalia. Despite the wide availability of HPV Vaccine (HPVV) in Canada, its uptake remains suboptimal. This review aims to identify factors (barriers and facilitators) in HPV vaccine uptake across English Canada at three levels (provider, system, and patient). We explored academic and gray literature to examine factors involved in HPVV uptake and synthesized results based on interpretive content analysis. The review identified the following factors of prime significance in the uptake of the HPV vaccine (a) at the provider level, 'acceptability' of the HPV vaccine, and 'appropriateness' of an intervention (b) at the patient level, the 'ability to perceive' and 'knowledge sufficiency' (c) at the system level, 'attitudes' of different players in vaccine programming, planning and delivery. Further research is needed to conduct population health intervention research in this area.

Keywords: HPV immunization; Human Papilloma Virus (HPV); papillomavirus infection; preventable cancer; sexually transmitted infections; viral wart.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Canada
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Human Papillomavirus Viruses
  • Humans
  • Papillomavirus Infections* / epidemiology
  • Papillomavirus Infections* / prevention & control
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Papillomavirus Vaccines

Grants and funding

Funding support was received from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.