Publications by authors named "Mika Rathwell"
Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection causes nearly all cervical cancer cases and is a cause of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. The incidence of HPV-associated cancers is inequitable, with an increased burden on marginalized groups in high-income countries. Understanding how immunization status varies by material and social deprivation, health system, and geospatial factors is valuable for prioritizing and planning HPV immunization interventions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: HPV vaccination prevents cancers, including 90% of cervical cancer. Since 2008, a school-based HPV vaccination program has been implemented in Quebec, but vaccine coverage is suboptimal. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted school-based vaccination programs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: HPV vaccination has been offered in school programs for over a decade in Quebec, Canada, but the vaccine coverages are not reaching the target coverage in several regions. This qualitative study aimed to describe barriers and enabling conditions of HPV vaccination as perceived by parents and school nurses and identify potential solutions to improve HPV vaccine uptake rates and acceptance in school-based programs.
Methods: Three focus group discussions were conducted with parents of children in Grades 2 or 3 who were unsure or unwilling to vaccinate.
Article Synopsis
- Over 1,300 Canadians are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, which could be largely prevented through HPV immunization, but current vaccination rates fall below the desired 90%.
- The Urban Public Health Network is collaborating with Alberta Health Services to investigate perceived barriers and enablers affecting youth HPV immunization as part of a school-based program in Alberta.
- The study will utilize surveys and interviews with parents and stakeholders, employing both quantitative and qualitative analyses to better understand and enhance vaccine uptake among hesitant populations.