@misc{10481/106342,
year = {2025},
month = {8},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/106342},
abstract = {Background: Globally, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake rates have declined within a wider context of vaccine
hesitancy. Gender-neutral vaccine programmes are increasing and recommended for the prevention of cervical, anogenital,
and oropharyngeal cancers afecting both women and men. To address the problem of suboptimal HPV uptake rates for
boys and men, we aimed to understand young men’s communication needs for HPV messages in a cross-cultural analysis.
Methods: Qualitative methods consisting of 14 focus group discussions were conducted with young men (18–26 years) about
the HPV vaccine in three countries with varying HPV vaccine implementation policies at the time. A total of 55 participants
were included from Scotland (n=14), Spain (n=25), single-gendered programmes, and the USA (n=16), gender-neutral
programme. Analysis was informed by refexive thematic analysis.
Findings: Four themes were identifed: (1) the ‘Girl vaccine’: primarily seen as a vaccine for girls, despite varying vaccine
knowledge and awareness across contexts; (2) vaccine ambivalence: perceptions of men’s HPV risks were low and some
vaccine worries were evident from US contexts; (3) altruism: a pervasive theme related to young men’s roles and responsibilities for HPV transmission within relationships; (4) trusted sources: messages from health care providers/authorities
were persistently valued but direct opportunities were often absent.
Conclusion: Public health messaging to increase HPV vaccination for young men should focus on direct appeal to young
men’s health through specifc and targeted HPV messages for cancer and sexual health benefts to increase the personal
relevance of the vaccine. It should also focus on indirect appeal through incorporating messages about safe sex in relationships and for herd immunity. Healthcare providers and authorities are trusted sources of information and can infuence men’s
confdence for the HPV vaccine; opportunities for interactions should be optimised.},
organization = {British Council Researcher Links (Grant 127536038)},
organization = {Health Institute Carlos III - Miguel Servet Fellowship (CP23/00024)},
publisher = {Springer},
keywords = {HPV vaccine},
keywords = {Vaccine hesitancy},
keywords = {Young men},
title = {Young Men’s Communication Needs for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: A Cross‑Cultural, Qualitative Analysis in Scotland, Spain, and the USA},
doi = {10.1007/s12529-025-10387-6},
author = {Gray Brunton, Carol and Carnegie, Elaine and Pow, Janette and Todorova, Irina and Petrova, Dafina and García-Retamero, Rocío and Whittaker, Anne},
}