Personal and parental acceptance of human papillomavirus vaccination prior to and during the economic crisis among women in Greece.

PURPOSE: To assess personal and parental human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination acceptance and how it is influenced by demographic factors prior to (2005-2010) and during (2011-2016) the economic crisis in Greece.

METHODS: During 2005-2016, 6,401 women aged 18-65 years, living in different areas of Greece filled in a questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, knowledge of HPV infection's natural history and its consequences and assessing their intention to receive the HPV vaccine for themselves and their children.

RESULTS: Women's intention to get vaccinated before the economic crisis was higher (86.2%) than during it (82.8%). In addition, the intention of women to vaccinate their children was higher for girls during 2005-2010 (78.3%), while there was no statistically significant difference concerning boys. HPV vaccination acceptance per year showed a statistically significant variation. The initially high acceptance decreased following vaccine's release, mainly due to fear of side effects, increased following objective public education, and declined again. Demographic characteristics affected HPV vaccination acceptance at the time period before the economic crisis in Greece, but not during it.

CONCLUSION: Demographic factors affecting a woman's attitude towards vaccination prior to the economic crisis in Greece, stopped playing a significant role during the crisis, reflecting its devastating effect on most parts of the population.