Willingness to get HPV vaccination among female university students in Kuwait and its relation to vaccine conspiracy beliefs

• DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2194772
• Publication Date: 2023-04-03T02:53:23Z
• Authors: Mariam Alsanafi; Nesreen A. Salim; Malik Sallam
• Keywords: Promotion (chess)

A substantial burden of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and HPV-related cancers can be mitigated by vaccination. The current study aimed to investigate the willingness female students at University Kuwait get HPV vaccination its possible association with general vaccine conspiracy beliefs (VCBs). This cross-sectional survey was conducted during September-November 2022 using a validated VCB scale as instrument. final sample comprised 611 respondents median age 22 y majority Arab ethnicity (n = 600, 98.2%). Only 360 (56.9%) heard before participation these showed an above-average level knowledge (mean score 12.7 ± 2.6 out 16 maximum score), whom only 33 self-reported uptake (9.2%). accept free-of-charge seen among 69.8% participants, 20.1% who were hesitant 10.1% resistant. acceptance if payment is required 23.1%. Reasons for hesitancy/resistance included complacency disease risks, lack confidence in vaccination, inconvenience. embrace VCBs associated significantly higher odds hesitancy/resistance. detrimental impact endorsing manifested lower intention university Kuwait. should considered promotion efforts aiming reduce cancers.