Understanding HPV Vaccine Acceptance and Its Influencing Factors

Principal Investigator (PI): Professor Dr Wong Li Ping

Summary of the Project:

To investigate the acceptability of the HPV vaccine among a multiethnic sample of young women in Malaysia in the early introduction of the HPV vaccine, a qualitative study of 40 young women aged between 13 and 27 years from different ethnicities was conducted. Although participants were in favour of the vaccine, the majority preferred to delay vaccination because it is newly introduced, they did not perceive themselves to be at risk of HPV infection, or because of cost factors. Concerns were raised regarding the vaccine's safety, the potential to be perceived as promiscuous and sexually active, and whether the vaccine was halal. To investigate factors associated with the willingness of boys to accept the HPV vaccine, a nationwide cross-sectional survey among 2823 Secondary One male students in Malaysia was conducted. Less than half (48.4%) reported that they were likely to receive the HPV vaccination. Factors associated with the intention to receive the HPV vaccination were: agreeing boys need to be vaccinated against HPV infection, perceiving their parents might allow them to get the HPV vaccine, perceived susceptibility to HPV infection and attending a rural school. 

In a study conducted among 794 adult married women aged 27 to 45 years, 74.5 % expressed an intention to vaccinate against HPV.  Factors influencing HPV vaccination intention were the spouse’s or partner’s consent to HPV vaccination, being a postgraduate student, earning an average household income of MYR2000–4000 and having a high HPV-related knowledge score. In a study conducted among 411 MSM aged 18 years old and above, 60% indicated an intent to receive the HPV vaccination. High intent to be vaccinated for HPV infection was positively and significantly associated with being bisexual and gay/homosexual and a high level of knowledge related to HPV and HPV vaccination.

Status of the Project: Completed

Duration:

Start date - 2008
Young Women - 2008
Male Students (Form 1) - February to April 2013
Married Women (27 to 45 years old) - February to September 2021
MSM - May 2019 to September 2022

Completion date - September 2022

Outcomes of the Project:

Publications

1. Wong LP. Young multiethnic women's attitudes toward the HPV vaccine and HPV vaccination. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2008 Nov;103(2):131-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2008.07.005. 
2. Wong LP, Alias H, Yusoff RNARM, Sam IC, Zimet GD. Are Boys Ready for Human Papillomavirus Vaccine? A National Study of Boys in Malaysia. Sex Transm Dis. 2019 Sep;46(9):617-624. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001024
3. Wong LP, Alias H, Seheli FN, Zimet GD, Hu Z, Lin Y. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination intent and its associated factors: a study of ethnically diverse married women aged 27 to 45 in Malaysia, a Southeast Asian country. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2022 Nov 30;18(5):2076525. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2076525.
4. Wong LP, Alias H, Lim SH. Factors Influencing HPV Vaccine Intentions in Malaysian Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Cross-Sectional Study in Malaysia. Pathogens. 2023 Oct 19;12(10):1261. doi: 10.3390/pathogens12101261.