Barriers to cervical cancer screening among Korean women and use of the HPV vaccine for daughters and sons

BACKGROUND: With early detection and the advent of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, cervical cancer is both a curable and preventable disease. But less than half of Korean women get a regular Pap test or follow guidelines for screening. Moreover, although a vaccine to prevent common strains of HPV is available for males and females ages 9 to 26, little is known regarding acceptance of the HPV vaccine in the Korean population. PURPOSE: This study describes Korean women's knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and perceived barriers to cervical cancer screening; attitudes toward vaccines in general, and toward having their daughter or son vaccinated against HPV. METHODS: Over 50 in depth telephone interviews using random digit dialing were conducted with English-speaking Korean American women, ages of 25 to 45. RESULTS: Analysis show that Korean women generally lack information regarding Pap tests, are uncertain about the connection between HPV and cervical cancer, and are unclear on the availability of the HPV vaccine. Respondents reported structural, financial, personal and cultural barriers toward use of the vaccine. Safety concerns and lack of sufficient information regarding the HPV vaccine were the most commonly mentioned barriers. Interestingly, a significantly higher proportion of Korean mothers would provide the HPV vaccine to a 13 year-old daughter than to a son of the same age. DISCUSSION: To address cervical cancer disparities among Korean women, early preventative cancer information should address barriers to screening and encourage HPV vaccine use among both Korean girls and boys.