Three-year questionnaire survey on human papillomavirus vaccination targeting new female college students

Aim: A questionnaire survey was conducted at fixed points to describe changes over a 3-year period in the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination uptake rate among young women. Several factors obtained from the questionnaire were investigated in relation to HPV vaccination.

Methods: The study was conducted at two universities in Yokohama City, Japan. Newly enrolled female students of the universities were recruited to participate in this study in 2011, 2012 and 2013. The study participants were asked about their HPV vaccination status. They were also questioned about factors that potentially influenced HPV vaccination, such as current age, place of residence during high school, and knowledge related to cervical cancer and HPV vaccination.

Results: The proportion of vaccinated participants dramatically increased in 2013 (48.7%) in comparison to 2011 (5.4%) and 2012 (13.5%). Three factors were positively related to HPV vaccination: being 18 years old in 2013, which means that they were eligible for a financial support program (P < 0.001); living in the study city, in which HPV vaccination was well conducted (P < 0.001); and proper knowledge of cervical cancer and HPV vaccination (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The HPV vaccination uptake rate in 2013 dramatically increased from that in 2011. Official financial support and publicity work were likely to have had an effect on the HPV vaccination uptake rate.