Screening yes, vaccine no? Women’s attitudes about adolescent HPV vaccination in Central Romania
Abstract
Background: Romania reports alarming prevalence and incidence rate for cervical cancer compared to the European average. Against this background, our study aims at identifying the predictors of vaccination attitudes of women for their children (to be born).
Methods: This research is based on a survey conducted among participants at a free cervical cancer screening caravan in Romania’s Central Region. Data collection was carried out with the assistance of health professionals next to the mobile screening unit. Sample size is 818 women from central Romania with a mean age of 44,5 years. The questionnaire entailed a standardized HPV literacy scale, and HPV vaccination attitude was measured with a simple question with binary answer option. Determinants of vaccination attitudes are assessed in a binary logistic regression model.
Results: 56,4% of respondents are planning, whereas 43,6% are not intending to vaccinate their child(ren). Higher HPV literacy is significantly associated with positive vaccination attitudes (Exp(B)=1,339). Women with the lowest education are three times more likely to refuse the vaccination of their children compared to the reference category with tertiary education (Exp(B)=0,304). The odds for a pro vaccination attitude decreases with every additional year of age (Exp(B)=0,972). A history of cervical cancer in the microsocial network significantly increases ro vaccination attitudes (Exp(B)=2,028).
Conclusions: In spite of the fact that our respondents themselves engaged in preventive behaviour and attended the HPV screening, a large share is reluctant to the vaccination of their children against the same infection. The improvement of HPV-related knowledge would contribute to the increase in pro vaccination attitudes. Interventions are needed in all social groups, but most of all among the least educated women. Health campaigns should make use of the fact that women with a cervical cancer history are most genuine ambassadors of health messages.
Key messages: • There is a gap between screening participation and prevention through vaccination against HPV.
• HPV literacy and exposure to cervical cancer in the social network are key drivers of vaccine acceptance.
Related
- Caregiver knowledge and Attitudes toward Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among adolescent girls living with HIV in Sierra Leone: A health facility-based cross-sectional study
- Knowledge, attitudes and practices of vaccination among older adults in Brunei Darussalam: a convergent mixed-method study
- Navigating vaccine beliefs: a qualitative pilot study of general vaccine attitudes and HPV awareness among Tongan adults
- Contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, and practices among adolescent girls in a peri-urban South African community
- Vaccine attitudes and perceptions in a post-COVID Era: what lessons can be learned in Tunisia?
BibTeX
@article{santha2026screening,
title = {{Screening yes, vaccine no? Women’s attitudes about adolescent HPV vaccination in Central Romania}},
author = {AR Santha and R Jávorné Erdei and M Nagy},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.017},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.017},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Screening yes, vaccine no? Women’s attitudes about adolescent HPV vaccination in Central Romania
AU - AR Santha
AU - R Jávorné Erdei
AU - M Nagy
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.017
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.017
AB - Background: Romania reports alarming prevalence and incidence rate for cervical cancer compared to the European average. Against this background, our study aims at identifying the predictors of vaccination attitudes of women for their children (to be born). Methods: This research is based on a survey conducted among participants at a free cervical cancer screening caravan in Romania’s Central Region. Data collection was carried out with the assistance of health professionals next to the mobile screening unit. Sample size is 818 women from central Romania with a mean age of 44,5 years. The questionnaire entailed a standardized HPV literacy scale, and HPV vaccination attitude was measured with a simple question with binary answer option. Determinants of vaccination attitudes are assessed in a binary logistic regression model. Results: 56,4% of respondents are planning, whereas 43,6% are not intending to vaccinate their child(ren). Higher HPV literacy is significantly associated with positive vaccination attitudes (Exp(B)=1,339). Women with the lowest education are three times more likely to refuse the vaccination of their children compared to the reference category with tertiary education (Exp(B)=0,304). The odds for a pro vaccination attitude decreases with every additional year of age (Exp(B)=0,972). A history of cervical cancer in the microsocial network significantly increases ro vaccination attitudes (Exp(B)=2,028). Conclusions: In spite of the fact that our respondents themselves engaged in preventive behaviour and attended the HPV screening, a large share is reluctant to the vaccination of their children against the same infection. The improvement of HPV-related knowledge would contribute to the increase in pro vaccination attitudes. Interventions are needed in all social groups, but most of all among the least educated women. Health campaigns should make use of the fact that women with a cervical cancer history are most genuine ambassadors of health messages. Key messages: • There is a gap between screening participation and prevention through vaccination against HPV. • HPV literacy and exposure to cervical cancer in the social network are key drivers of vaccine acceptance.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -