Barriers to and Facilitators for Accessing HPV Vaccination in Migrant and Refugee Populations: A Systematic Review
Davide Graci,
Nicolò Piazza,
Salvatore Ardagna,
Alessandra Casuccio,
Anton Drobov,
Federica Geraci,
Angelo Immordino,
Alessandra Pirrello,
Vincenzo Restivo,
Riccardo Rumbo,
Rosalba Stefano,
Roberta Virone,
Elena Zarcone,
Palmira Immordino
Affiliations
Davide Graci
Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Nicolò Piazza
Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Salvatore Ardagna
Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Alessandra Casuccio
Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Anton Drobov
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Federica Geraci
Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Angelo Immordino
Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, AOUP Paolo Giaccone, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Alessandra Pirrello
Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Vincenzo Restivo
School of Medicine, University Kore of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy
Riccardo Rumbo
Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Rosalba Stefano
Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Roberta Virone
Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Elena Zarcone
Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Palmira Immordino
Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted virus globally and a primary cause of cervical cancer, which ranks fourth among tumors in both incidence and mortality. Despite the availability of effective vaccines worldwide, HPV vaccination rates vary, especially among migrant and refugee populations. Indeed, migrant status may act as a determinant against accessing vaccinations, among many other factors. The objective of this paper is to evaluate barriers to and facilitators for accessing HPV vaccination in migrant and refugee populations. A systematic review of the existing peer-reviewed academic literature was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines in which we examined thirty-four studies to evaluate HPV vaccination rates in these populations and identify factors acting as barriers or facilitators. Key determinants include socio-economic status and health literacy. Communication barriers, including language and cultural factors, also impact access to information and trust in the health workforce. Understanding and considering these factors is crucial for developing proper and inclusive vaccination strategies to ensure that no population is overlooked.
