The multidimensional nature of perceived barriers: Global versus practical barriers to HPV vaccination.

Abstract

Objective Perceived barriers are one of the strongest determinants of health behavior. The current study presents a novel conceptualization of perceived barriers by testing the following hypotheses: (a) perceived barriers are multidimensional and thus should cluster into distinct factors; (b) practical barriers should be salient for individuals intending to engage in a particular health behavior, whereas global barriers should be salient for individuals not intending to enact the behavior; and (c) whereas global barriers should be negatively associated with behavioral intentions, practical barriers should be positively related to intentions. Methods The context for this investigation was young adult women’s perceived barriers to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Two months after viewing an educational video about HPV vaccination, women (aged 18-26) who had not initiated the series (n = 703) reported their perceived barriers to HPV vaccination and intentions to receive the vaccine. Results Relative to the conventional single factor approach, a five-factor model provided better fit to the data and accounted for a larger proportion of variance in vaccination intentions. The relative salience of different perceived barriers varied as a function of women’s intentions. Participants who were not intending to get vaccinated cited global concerns about vaccine safety and low perceived need for the vaccine. In contrast, participants intending to get vaccinated cited practical concerns (cost, logistical barriers) related to carrying out their intentions. Moreover, whereas global perceived barriers were associated with lower intentions, practical barriers were associated with higher intentions. Conclusions Perceived barriers are multidimensional and vary systematically as a function of people’s behavioral intentions.

Predicting Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake in Young Adult Women: Comparing the Health Belief Model and Theory of Planned Behavior

“…Perceived barriers included vaccine cost and concerns about vaccine safety and side effects. Cost was not combined with safety/side effects concerns into a single latent factor because items reflected distinct barriers [32]. Whether a doctor or other health care provider had ever recommended the HPV vaccine served as a cue to action.…”

HPV vaccination in women aged 27 to 45 years: what do general practitioners think?

“…This issue is not unique to Australia as a previous study from the US also reported the cost of the HPV vaccine as being a barrier to its uptake in young adult women [26]. Cost modelling studies have also shown that the cost benefit of HPV vaccination becomes less favourable with increasing age [13].…”

Characteristics Associated With Initiation of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Among a National Sample of Male and Female Young Adults

“…While it is crucial to vaccinate those at high risk, it is also vital to focus on young adults who have not initiated sexual activity as this group may benefit most from vaccination. Further research is needed to examine how to increase vaccination rates among those who are not sexually active, as they may view HPV vaccination as unnecessary 29 .…”