Purpose: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate the differences on awareness and attitude towards human papillomavirus (HPV) and its vaccine between local and migrant residents who participated in cervical cancer screening in Shenzhen, China.
Materials and methods: A total of 9,855 females sampled from healthcare institutions in 20 street blocks through the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network were surveyed in this study by a self-administered questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to explore the role of the hukou and resident status in the willingness to receive HPV vaccination.
Results: Local residents had a relatively higher awareness of HPV (62.0% vs. 35.6% vs. 29.9%, p < 0.001) and its vaccine (35.3% vs. 15.4% vs. 14.8%, p < 0.001), as well as a higher willingness to receive HPV vaccination (68.5% vs. 62.5% vs. 56.2%, p < 0.001) than non-permanent residents and floating population. Except for age, education level, marital status, monthly income, having daughter(s), and heard of HPV and its vaccine, the hukou and resident status significantly associated with the willingness to receive HPV vaccination (local residents vs. floating population: odds ratio, 1.216; 95% confidence interval, 1.057 to 1.398). None significant difference on the associated factors was found between local residents and internal migrants (p for interactions > 0.05).
Conclusion: Inequalities in awareness and attitude towards HPV and its vaccine existed between local and migrant residents in Shenzhen. The hukou and resident status did impact on the willingness to receive HPV vaccination, therefore, it is critical to implement effective health education campaigns on HPV and its vaccine among internal migrants.
Keywords: Attitude; Awareness; Human papillomavirus; Internal migrants; Vaccines.