The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most diagnosed sexually transmitted infection in the world, and is responsible for 70% of cervical cancers. Large national immunization programs have been implemented in many countries, such as Australia where cervical cancer is expected to be classified as a rare disease within two years. But negative beliefs around the vaccine remain, so some parents are reluctant to have their teenage daughter vaccinated. They are particularly concerned that HPV vaccination at a young age would encourage risky sexual behavior.
The new Gardasil 9 vaccine would protect against 90% of cervical cancers linked to HPV. Young girls vaccinated, freed from risk, could thus have sexual intercourse earlier or unprotected. However, this is not the case, shows a study published on October 15 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. “We can say that the HPV vaccine does not increase risky behavior in adolescents”, explains Elizabeth Saewyc, one of the study’s authors.
Decreased early sexual intercourse
In 2008, a school-based HPV vaccination program was implemented in British Columbia (Canada). The researchers relied on a survey conducted in these schools, which captured the physical and emotional health indicators of adolescents. They analyzed data on sexual behavior and their risk factors from 298,265 girls identified as heterosexual, aged 12 to 18. The data were examined for three different dates: 2003, 2008 (date of introduction of the vaccination campaign) and 2013.
Results ? The proportion of girls who reported ever having had sex decreased from 21.3% in 2003 to 18.3% in 2013. Among sexually active young people, the use of contraceptives and condoms has increased, while pregnancy rates have declined; 9% more took the pill in 2013. According to the researchers, there is therefore no association between vaccination against HPV and risky sexual behavior. A link that had already been refuted in a previous study in 2014.
Doubts still persist around the cervical cancer vaccine, despite publications on the subject. It should nevertheless be remembered that while vaccination is important, it does not protect against all types of papillomavirus. Screening smears are therefore still necessary.
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