Knowledge and attitudes about human papillomavirus and vaccination

Abstract Objective: Uncover knowledge and attitudes of girls, mothers, teachers and health professionals about human papillomavirus and vaccination. Method: A qualitative study carried out by means of focus groups in public elementary schools and health units of Sanitary District IV from Recife-PE, Brazil, between June and July 2015. The sample was six schoolchildren, ten adolescents, nine mothers, ten teachers, thirteen health professionals and seven community health agents. Speeches were analyzed with the technique of Discourse of Collective Subject (DSC), using the Qualiquantisoft, version 1.3c software. Results: Four categories emerged from the DSC: controversial understanding of HPV; transmissibility of HPV virus; adequate knowledge about the vaccine; and education in health. Final considerations: Different levels of knowledge - doubts and misconceptions - about the subject were unveiled. However, attitudes were favorable to adhesion to immunization. Realities that need to be problematized in the educational practice of nurses.