Communication, Somali culture and decision-making about the human papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
Dailey, Phokeng 2014-02
28th Edward F. Hayes Graduate Research Forum. Ohio State University
http://hdl.handle.net/1811/59265
Abstract
The current study uses a multiple goals theoretical perspective to explore how Somali immigrant families in the United States make decisions regarding whether to vaccinate their children against human papillomavirus (HPV). A focus was placed on the communication goals of parents in HPV vaccine discussions with their child and health care provider. 16 semi-structured interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Key themes were the implications of the vaccine for early sexual activity, confusion between HPV and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the perception that the HPV vaccine is unnecessary, uncertainty about the vaccine’s efficacy and side effects, avoidance of parent-child communication about the vaccine, and a preference for framing the vaccine as a health promotion behavior. Framing the threat of HPV in the context of initiation of sexual activity, uncertainty regarding vaccine efficacy, and anticipated regret account for the inconsistency in HPV vaccine uptake among Somali parents. Health care providers should consider talking about HPV as a distal versus an immediate threat and HPV vaccine uptake as a health-promotion rather than a sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention behavior.