What makes a young woman get vaccinated?: A study on HPV vaccination experiences of young unmarried women in Korea

Humanpapillomavirus(HPV) vaccine has become popular in Korea, as it has been known for preventing cervical cancer. The vaccine is recommended to the all healthy young women and closely related to women's practice of reproductive health and their experience with gynecologists. The decision-making process regarding the HPV vaccination in Korea is greatly influenced by socio-cultural circumstances, which does not allow young unmarried women to be sexually active. This study describes how young women in their 20s make decisions on the HPV vaccination, and the experiences they go through in the process in the Korean context using grounded theory methodology. Young unmarried women perceive themselves as being at risk of cervical cancer and come to think they can control the risk through the HPV vaccination. Over the course of decision-making process about the vaccination, they talk to significant others to arrive at a shared perception. Young women try to judge the uncertain information and negotiate economic and other conditions to make a rational consumption choice. Since it is not allow to assume a young woman to be sexually active, the complex biology of HPV is not mentioned. As a Young women are satisfied as they practice what they are told to do for their health risk, rather than getting regular gynecologists exams, taking an active part in preventing cervical cancer. When young women are considered to be sexually unactive and not allowed to visit gynecologists, the vaccination only becomes an one-off attempt rather than being a effective mean for cancer prevention.