Barriers and Facilitators of Romanian HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccination
Loredana Sabina Cornelia Manolescu,
Corina Zugravu,
Corneliu Nicolae Zaharia,
Anca Irina Dumitrescu,
Irina Prasacu,
Mihaela Corina Radu,
Goraneanu Draghici Letiția,
Irina Nita,
Corina Marilena Cristache,
Laurentia Nicoleta Gales
Affiliations
Loredana Sabina Cornelia Manolescu
Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Virology, Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Corina Zugravu
Department of Fundamental Sciences, Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Carol Davila, 37 Dionisie Lupu St., 020021 Bucharest, Romania
Corneliu Nicolae Zaharia
Department of Virology, Institute of Virology “Stefan S. Nicolau”, 030304 Bucharest, Romania
Anca Irina Dumitrescu
Department of Fundamental Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Irina Prasacu
Department of Fundamental Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Mihaela Corina Radu
Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Virology, Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Goraneanu Draghici Letiția
Department of Birth, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, 100409 Ploiesti, Romania
Irina Nita
Medical Oncology Department, Monza Oncology Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
Corina Marilena Cristache
Department of Dental Techniques, Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing (FMAM), “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroilor Sanitari Blvd., 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Laurentia Nicoleta Gales
Department of Oncology, Institute of Oncology “Prof. Dr. Al. Trestioreanu” Bucharest, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Background: Many countries had initial success with HPV vaccination campaigns worldwide. The HPV vaccine coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic dropped consistently. The aim of our research is to assess the barriers and facilitators of the current Romanian HPV vaccination campaign. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional observational survey was conducted in the Romanian general population; a self-administered questionnaire was used. Results: 1122 responders were interviewed; 666 (59.36%) were parents, and 67 (5.97%) HPV vaccinated themselves. A multinominal logistic regression carried out in the parents’ category showed that women with university studies and informed from medical sources have greater chances to HPV vaccinate. Reticence regarding vaccination comes from the high cost of the vaccine and a lack of information. Only 118 (10.51%) vaccinated against HPV. From the logistic regression analysis, gender (ORa 0.461 = 95% CI: (0.196; 1.083)), geographic area of residence (ORa = 0.517; 95% CI: (0.331; 0.807)), and the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the National Vaccination Program (ORa = 2.4; 95% CI: (1.361; 4.235)) were the factors found most associated with HPV vaccination. Conclusions: In the general population, the inclusion of HPV vaccination in the National Vaccination Program would be the most important facilitator of HPV vaccination in Romania. In parents that did not vaccinate their children, one important barrier to HPV vaccination was the high cost of the HPV vaccine and the lack of proper information. The acceptability of HPV vaccination in Romania is low; therefore, public health educational programs are needed.
