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. 2023;27(2):363-388.
doi: 10.1007/s12119-022-10017-3. Epub 2022 Sep 5.

Investigating Media Coverage and Public Perceptions of the HPV Vaccine in China - A Content Analysis of Weibo Posts

Junyi Hu  1 , Thomas William Whyke  1 , Joaquin Lopez-Mugica  2
Affiliations

Investigating Media Coverage and Public Perceptions of the HPV Vaccine in China - A Content Analysis of Weibo Posts

Junyi Hu et al. Sex Cult. 2023.

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. The HPV vaccination has been widely advocated around the world since the vaccine is beneficial in avoiding diseases, including some sexually transmitted diseases, brought on by HPV infections. For most Chinese, the HPV vaccine is still a relatively new concept, having only been made available to the general public in 2016. Despite the vaccine's increased prominence, there is still a lack of investigation about how the public is influencing the conversation about HPV vaccines and the public's perception of this vaccine. With the theoretical construct of the Health Belief Model, this study conducts both quantitative and qualitative content analysis to investigate the existing media narratives around HPV vaccines in China and the changes in public opinion by looking at users' contributions on Weibo, one of China's most popular social networking sites. It was found that different groups of Weibo users had contributed to diverse narratives surrounding HPV vaccination. Though the public awareness of HPV vaccination had been improved along with increasingly active communication practices and enhanced public health services, public knowledge about HPV remains inadequate. Therefore, to facilitate the popularisation of HPV related knowledge, more effort should be invested in tailoring and disseminating messages that communicate responsive and comprehensive HPV related information.

Keywords: China; Content Analysis; Health Belief Model; Human Papillomavirus Vaccines; Sexual Health; Social Media; Vaccination Awareness.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestThe authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
An illustration of the analysis procedure
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Word clouds of top 20 reposted Weibo posts of four weeks
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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