“We don’t have the same bodies; we don’t react the same way”: mothers and adolescent girls’ perceptions of the risks and benefits of HPV vaccination in France

Abstract

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is one of the most publicly mistrusted vaccines in Europe, with countries such as France struggling with low vaccine uptake due to parental questioning of vaccine risks and benefits. However, limited evidence exists on adolescent girls’ perceptions of the risks and benefits of HPV vaccination. The aim of this qualitative study was to provide an in-depth exploration and comparison of French mothers (n = 21) and adolescent girls’ (n = 36) perceptions of the risks and benefits of HPV vaccination. A thematic analysis showed that adolescent girls and mothers perceived the risks and benefits of HPV vaccination differently, with girls reporting positive and beneficial views and emotions toward vaccination and mothers expressing concerns about possible risks. Adolescent girls also reported that both perceptions and actual risks and benefits may vary from one individual to another. Vaccine safety was also understood differently, with mothers reporting a widespread view that vaccines are unsafe and focusing on controversial side effects and girls discussing short-term consequences of vaccination (e.g. pain, fever) and administration and storage issues. Strategies to improve uptake of HPV vaccination should consider and address both the mothers’ and daughters’ perceptions and understandings of HPV vaccination.

What do adolescents think about vaccines? Systematic review of qualitative studies

“…Out of 3559 individual records identified, 59 studies were eligible for inclusion-Fig 1 . Three studies in Australia [28][29][30], three in France [31][32][33] and two in the United Kingdom [34,35] reported on data from the same set of interviews, but addressed distinct research questions and were therefore all included in the final review as individual studies.…”

“…Some adolescents receiving vaccines through SBIPs also voiced concerns about lack of privacy during vaccination, including influenza [39], HPV [52,53] and vaccines in general [41]. In five studies conducted in France (HPV) [32] South Africa (vaccines in general) [40], United Kingdom (HPV) [53] and United States (influenza, vaccines in general) [16,39] adolescents were concerned about needle safety and questioned whether school or community clinics provided a sanitary setting for delivery of vaccines.…”

Perception and Coverage of Conventional Vaccination among University Students from Rouen (Normandy), France in 2021

“…Although college may be an opportune time to reach young adults for HPV vaccination, obstacles, including navigating parental influence, independent decision-making, and lack of awareness of vaccination status may impede vaccination during this time [17]. The perceived risk of HPV has emerged as a significant mediator in the uptake of the HPV vaccine in female college students [18]; a study in France showed different perceptions of the risks and benefits between mother and girl [19]. Wilson et al showed that being confident in their ability to initiate and guide vaccine conversations with patients and parents ensures a high uptake of the HPV vaccine in the future in the general population [20].…”

Tinjauan Sistematis terhadap Pengetahuan, Persepsi, Motivasi Masyarakat Tentang Vaksinasi HPV bagi Remaja Putri dan Wanita Usia Subur : Literature Review

“…Keamanan vaksin juga dapat dipahami secara berbeda. Pada penelitian yang dilakukan kepada pihak ibu, menyatakan pandangan bahwa vaksin tidak aman dan berfokus pada efek samping kontroversial dan anak perempuan mendiskusikan konsekuensi jangka pendek dari vaksinasi (misalnya nyeri, demam), masalah administrasi, dan proses penyimpanan (36).…”

“…Sebuah analisis tematik menunjukkan bahwa remaja perempuan dan ibu merasakan risiko dan manfaat vaksinasi HPV secara berbeda, dengan anak perempuan menyatakan pandangan dan emosi yang positif dan bermanfaat terhadap vaksinasi dan pihak seorang ibu mengungkapkan kekhawatiran tentang kemungkinan risiko (36). Gadis remaja merasa bahwa baik persepsi maupun risiko dan manfaat aktual dapat bervariasi dari satu individu ke individu lainnya.…”