Psychological reactions of adolescent schoolgirls to human papillomavirus vaccination in western Uganda: A comparative cross-sectional study

Abstract

Schoolgirls in two Ugandan districts were recently vaccinated against human papillomavirus that causes most cervical cancer. This cross-sectional comparative study used mixed research methods to assess influence of human papillomavirus vaccination on adolescents’ worrisome thoughts about being vaccinated and psychological distress. Vaccination predicted worrisome thoughts among the recently vaccinated (adjusted odds ratio: 1.65, confidence interval: 1.13–2.41; p = 0.01). Vaccination predicted distress (1.75, confidence interval: 1.09–2.82; p = 0.02), particularly among those recently vaccinated (1.92, confidence interval: 1.27–2.89; p = 0.001) and those who experienced worrisome thoughts (1.80, confidence interval: 1.06–3.07; p = 0.02). Parental communication mitigated distress (0.50, confidence interval: 0.35–0.72; p = 0.000).