Peer-reviewed article
Caregiver acceptance of human papillomavirus vaccine for their female children in Chileka, Blantyre, Malawi.
Bwanali AN, Liundi P, Lubanga AF, Mpinganjira SL, Gadama LA ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study explores why caregivers in Malawi are not accepting the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for their daughters. Researchers conducted focus group discussions with women and men in a semi-urban area to understand the barriers to vaccine uptake. The main obstacles are lack of knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV vaccination, and misconceptions about the vaccine. The study found low willingness among caregivers to vaccinate their children, and recommends improved awareness and education programmes.
Key points
- Lack of knowledge on cervical cancer and HPV vaccination is a major barrier to vaccine acceptance
- Misconceptions about the HPV vaccine discourage caregivers from accepting it
- There is little desire among caregivers to get their children vaccinated against HPV
- While women are seen as primarily responsible for children's vaccination, men insist they need final say in vaccination decisions
- Effective and sustainable awareness programmes are needed to improve HPV vaccine uptake
Limitations
This is a qualitative study that describes barriers and attitudes but does not measure actual vaccination outcomes or test interventions. The findings are specific to one semi-urban area in Malawi and may not represent all communities in the country.
Abstract
Introduction Malawi is one of the countries enduring an enormous burden of cervical cancer. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination offers a feasible and effective tool for reducing the burden. Such a prospect however, is being impeded by low uptake rates of the HPV vaccine in the country. This study, therefore, sought to identify barriers to caregiver acceptance of the HPV vaccine for their female children in Chileka, Blantyre, Malawi and to establish the consequential willingness to vaccinate their children. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted using qualitative methods. We conducted 6 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with 4 groups of women and 2 groups of men in 4 villages located in a semi-urban area, Chileka, Blantyre. The guiding questionnaire was designed to draw out two main outcomes: barriers to caregiver acceptance of the HPV vaccine and willingness to vaccinate children. The data was analysed by thematic analysis by an inductive approach using NVivo software version 11. Results Lack of knowledge on cervical cancer and HPV vaccination coupled with numerous misconceptions are the main barriers discouraging the population from accepting the HPV vaccine. Consequently, there was little desire to get their children vaccinated against HPV. Though responsibility to get the children vaccinated was mainly attributed to women, men argued that they need to have a final say in their children's vaccination. Conclusion In the wake of the revealed barriers and low acceptance of the HPV vaccine, it is imperative to organize effective and sustainable awareness programmes for the improvement of the HPV vaccine's uptake.