Human Papillomavirus: A Qualitative Study of Korean American Female College Students' Attitudes Toward Vaccination
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BACKGROUND Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have the potential to reduce Korean American women's high burden of cervical cancer, but information is limited about their awareness of HPV and its vaccine.
. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to explore Korean American female college students' awareness of and attitudes toward HPV vaccination.
. METHODS A qualitative descriptive study was used. Five focus group interviews were conducted with 20 Korean American female college students aged 18-26 years from Massachusetts. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis.
. FINDINGS Major themes were awareness, misunderstandings, attitudes, social influences, and cultural influence. A critical need exists to develop and implement culturally and linguistically appropriate HPV prevention education programs to promote HPV vaccination in this population.