Información y confianza sobre el uso de las vacunas. El caso del virus del papiloma humano

Resumen

Abstract Introduction: The human papillomavirus is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, but its vaccination rate is one of the lowest in Andalusia. The objective of this research is to detect and identify general beliefs together with scientific theory and professional, institutional and social discourses about the HPV vaccine, as well as the attitudes of the agents implied in its process. Methodology: Qualitative research through 26 focus groups carried out in Granada, Seville and Jaén, out of which 15 were students in 3rd and 4th year of secondary school, 5 parents and 6 health care professionals. Content analysis of semantic type with categorization of responses in thematic units. Adolescents and parents do not recognise the symptomatology of HPV and fail to know the mode of transmission. They do not identify that males may suffer from the infection. Most of the mothers agree with HPV vaccine, but request that more information be provided by the health care professionals. Regarding sexuality and risk behaviour, adolescents express that the majority has had relations and many have engaged in risky sexual behaviour. Mothers believe that their children are not old enough to engage in sexual activity. Professionals admit the difficulties to reach the adolescent population regarding the prevention of risky sexual behaviour due to the lack of time and little concern from adolescents about preventive measures. Regarding HPV, they recognise the symptomatology of the infection, but not all of them know if the male suffers from the disease, as well as the association of the infection with other cancers different from cervical cancer. The discourses against the vaccine make them doubt when recommending it, leaving up to the parents to decide whether to vaccinate their children or not. In relation to other vaccines, the lower epidemiologic monitoring coming from the health administration regarding the compliance of the HPV vaccination scheduler foment distrust in professionals about the clinical effectiveness of this vaccine. Conclusions: Professionals would be recommended to spend more time on prevention plans with adolescents. Also to establish strategies which improve the information that professionals have about HPV, as well as the benefits of the vaccine, in order that they can clearly circulate the information when requested. This would avoid uncertainty in parents, improve the vaccination rates and reduce the complications derived from the HPV infection. The increase in the monitoring and tracking of the vaccination scheduler on the part of the health administration would reinforce the education campaigns and the confidence about the clinical effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, thus eliminating the introduction of negative messages about the alleged adverse effects.