Human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine awareness in Indigenous communities in Northwest Territories, Canada
8 affiliations
- 1Indigenous and Global Health Research Group, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- 2Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- 3Population Health Intervention Research Unit, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- 4Independent Public Health Consultant, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
- 5Department of Health and Social Services, Government of Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
- 6Hotıì ts’eeda Northwest Territories SPOR SUPPORT Unit, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
- 7School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- 8Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Abstract
Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection linked to several cancers, including cervical cancer, which ranks fourth in cancer incidence and mortality among women globally. Despite its significance, awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine remains limited across many populations. This project assessed HPV and HPV vaccine awareness among Indigenous adults in Northwest Territories communities in Canada and explored factors influencing HPV vaccine utilization; such data have never been available or explored. Methods: Using a community-based participatory research approach, quantitative and qualitative data were collected in 11 Indigenous communities in Northwest Territories. Indigenous adults aged 18 years and older were invited to complete a semi-structured questionnaire administered by trained local research assistants. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine potential associations among age, gender, education, and awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine. A thematic analysis of qualitative data explored reasons for non-vaccination. Results: Among the 221 participants (66.5% women; mean age 43.6 years (±13.9)), approximately half had heard of HPV, and fewer than one-third had heard of the HPV vaccine. Education emerged as a key factor, with individuals with lower educational attainment being significantly less aware of HPV (p < .000). Age (p < .033), gender (p < .019), and education (p < .004) predicted vaccine awareness, with women, individuals with higher education, and younger adults being more likely to have heard about the vaccine. Only 26.3% of participants aged up to 26 years had received the HPV vaccine. Qualitative data revealed that limited awareness and insufficient information about HPV and the vaccine are the main barriers to vaccination. Participants recommended enhancing vaccine promotion by raising awareness about the connection between HPV and cancer, as well as increasing educational efforts in schools and communities. Conclusions: Limited awareness of the HPV vaccine may contribute to low vaccination rates. Tailored and targeted interventions are crucial to increasing HPV vaccine utilization in Indigenous communities in Northwest Territories.
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BibTeX
@article{omidimorad2026human,
title = {{Human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine awareness in Indigenous communities in Northwest Territories, Canada}},
author = {Afsaneh Omidimorad and Fariba Kolahdooz and Ghazal Kolahdooz and Adrian Wagg and Paul Veugelers and André Corriveau and Kami Kandola and Stephanie Irlbacher-Fox and Gina Ogilvie and Carolyn Gotay and Sangita Sharma},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0357586},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357586},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine awareness in Indigenous communities in Northwest Territories, Canada
AU - Afsaneh Omidimorad
AU - Fariba Kolahdooz
AU - Ghazal Kolahdooz
AU - Adrian Wagg
AU - Paul Veugelers
AU - André Corriveau
AU - Kami Kandola
AU - Stephanie Irlbacher-Fox
AU - Gina Ogilvie
AU - Carolyn Gotay
AU - Sangita Sharma
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/03
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0357586
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357586
AB - Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection linked to several cancers, including cervical cancer, which ranks fourth in cancer incidence and mortality among women globally. Despite its significance, awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine remains limited across many populations. This project assessed HPV and HPV vaccine awareness among Indigenous adults in Northwest Territories communities in Canada and explored factors influencing HPV vaccine utilization; such data have never been available or explored. Methods: Using a community-based participatory research approach, quantitative and qualitative data were collected in 11 Indigenous communities in Northwest Territories. Indigenous adults aged 18 years and older were invited to complete a semi-structured questionnaire administered by trained local research assistants. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine potential associations among age, gender, education, and awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine. A thematic analysis of qualitative data explored reasons for non-vaccination. Results: Among the 221 participants (66.5% women; mean age 43.6 years (±13.9)), approximately half had heard of HPV, and fewer than one-third had heard of the HPV vaccine. Education emerged as a key factor, with individuals with lower educational attainment being significantly less aware of HPV (p < .000). Age (p < .033), gender (p < .019), and education (p < .004) predicted vaccine awareness, with women, individuals with higher education, and younger adults being more likely to have heard about the vaccine. Only 26.3% of participants aged up to 26 years had received the HPV vaccine. Qualitative data revealed that limited awareness and insufficient information about HPV and the vaccine are the main barriers to vaccination. Participants recommended enhancing vaccine promotion by raising awareness about the connection between HPV and cancer, as well as increasing educational efforts in schools and communities. Conclusions: Limited awareness of the HPV vaccine may contribute to low vaccination rates. Tailored and targeted interventions are crucial to increasing HPV vaccine utilization in Indigenous communities in Northwest Territories.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -