Edinburgh Napier University

  Objective
To examine cultural barriers and participant solutions regarding acceptance and uptake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine from the perspective of Black African, White-Caribbean, Arab, Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani young people.
Methods
Forty young people from minority ethnic communities in Scotland took part in a qualitative study, involving seven focus groups and four paired interviews, to explore their views and experiences of the HPV vaccine. Using critical discursive psychology, the analysis focussed on young people’s accounts of the barriers and enablers to information, access and uptake of the HPV vaccination programme.
Results
Participants suggested innovative strategies to tackle intergenerational concerns, information design and accessibility, and public health communications across diverse contexts. A cross-cultural community engagement model was developed, embracing diversity and contradiction across different ethnic groups. This included four inter-related strategies: providing targeted and flexible information for young people; vaccine provision across the life-course; intergenerational information and; specific cross-cultural communications.
Conclusion
This is the first HPV cross-cultural model inductively derived from accounts of young people from different ethnic communities. We recommend public health practitioners and policymakers consider utilising the processes and strategies illustrated within this model in order to increase dialogue around public engagement, awareness and receptivity towards the HPV vaccination.