Barriers to HPV vaccination in marginalized Roma communities in Slovakia

Limited access to healthcare services leads to lower vaccination rates in marginalized Roma communities (MRCs). This study aimed to explore health system barriers to HPV vaccination faced by people from MRCs from multiple perspectives. The qualitative study was conducted in Slovakia in 2021/22 with...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in public health 2023-12, Vol.11, p.1239963-1239963
Main Authors: Filakovska Bobakova, Daniela, Plavnicka, Jana, Urbancikova, Ingrid, Edelstein, Michael, Jansen, Danielle, Dankulincova Veselska, Zuzana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
access to health care
ethnic minority
Health Services Accessibility
health system barriers
HPV vaccination
Humans
marginalized Roma communities
Papillomavirus Infections - prevention & control
Papillomavirus Vaccines - administration & dosage
Public Health
Roma
Slovakia
Vaccination
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Summary:Limited access to healthcare services leads to lower vaccination rates in marginalized Roma communities (MRCs). This study aimed to explore health system barriers to HPV vaccination faced by people from MRCs from multiple perspectives. The qualitative study was conducted in Slovakia in 2021/22 with 43 community members and health professionals. Data were analyzed using a combination of content analysis and consensual qualitative research. A substantial barrier to vaccination is limited coverage of vaccination expenses for certain age categories by health insurance. Moreover, Slovakia faces a significant shortage of healthcare personnel, leading to work overload and a lack of capacity and motivation to address HPV vaccination. Impaired relationships between health care providers and people from MRCs lead to the avoidance of healthcare services, which contributes to insufficient delivery of information and a lack of awareness regarding HPV-related diseases and vaccination. Strengthening the capacities of health care providers, expanding the age group covered by health insurance and providing tailored information to people from MRCs are necessary prerequisites to increase the availability of HPV vaccination and enable people to make informed decisions about HPV vaccination.
ISSN:2296-2565
2296-2565
DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1239963