Barriers to vaccination against HPV: A gender perspective analysis

Authors

  • Flérida Rivera-Rojas Universidad Católica del Maule, Chile
  • Miguel Valencia-Contrera Universidad Andrés Bello, Chile
  • Jenifer Villa-Velásquez Universidad Austral de Chile

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.41.02.016.611

Keywords:

Vaccination, Vaccination Refusal, Human Papillomavirus Viruses, Gender and Health

Abstract

Introduction: HPV infections are responsible for benign lesions such as condyloma acuminata on the feet, hands, anogenital or premalignant lesions, and various types of cancer such as cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, oropharyngeal, and penile. To prevent contagion and transmission, vaccination against HPV has been incorporated in children under 15 years old. However, its incorporation has been conditioned by economic reasons, cultural and religious beliefs, age, and sex.

Objective: To reflect on the barriers that interfere with adherence to HPV vaccination in men.

Material and method: A narrative review was conducted in PubMed, WoS databases, and a manual search on Google Scholar over the last five years using the descriptors "Human Papillomavirus" and "Ethic*".

Conclusion: The barriers identified are related to the principle of justice, which limits universal access to vaccines and holds women responsible for not meeting public health goals. Educational activities must be implemented to correct erroneous beliefs, reduce vaccination refusal, and achieve men´s herd immunization. More research is needed to include male preadolescents and high-risk groups in vaccination programs. Educational activities should focus on HPV transmission and not only on cervical cancer, with the collaboration of health workers and organizations to ensure the participation of the entire population in immunization programs.

Author Biographies

  • Flérida Rivera-Rojas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Chile

    Enfermera. Magíster en Enfermería. Candidata a doctora en Ciencia de Enfermería, Universidad Católica del Maule, Curicó (Chile). Programa Doctorado en Ciencia de Enfermería, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago (Chile). frivera@ucm.cl. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2542-8751

  • Miguel Valencia-Contrera, Universidad Andrés Bello, Chile

    Enfermero. Magíster en Enfermería. Candidato a doctor en Ciencia de Enfermería. Especialista en Gestión y Edición de Revistas Científicas. Programa Doctorado en Ciencia de Enfermería, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago (Chile). miguel.valencia@unab.cl. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4943-5924

  • Jenifer Villa-Velásquez, Universidad Austral de Chile

    Enfermera. Magíster en Enfermería. Candidata a doctora en Ciencia de Enfermería, Universidad Austral de Chile, Puerto Montt (Chile). Programa Doctorado en Ciencia de Enfermería, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago (Chile). Jenifer.villa@uach.cl. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2928-0793

Published

2025-06-13

Issue

Section

ARTICLES FOR REFLECTION

How to Cite

Barriers to vaccination against HPV: A gender perspective analysis. (2025). SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL SALUD UNINORTE, 41(2), 671-686. https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.41.02.016.611

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