Human papillomavirus vaccination uptake and factors related to uptake in a traditional desert city in the United Arab Emirates.

It is important to assess uptake of a new vaccine. The present survey estimated the uptake of the recently introduced human papillomavirus vaccine (HPVV) in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and also explored barriers to uptake. A questionnaire survey was conducted in secondary schools, enrolling 334 girls. The uptake percentage was estimated and factors associated with uptake were assessed with multilevel logistic regression. Crude vaccination uptake was 53%. Factors positively associated with uptake were, among others, having knowledge on human papillomavirus (vaccine) and having United Arab Emirates (UAE) nationality. The HPVV uptake of just over 50% could probably be improved by educating the target group and their parents before offering the HPVV and by making it free of costs for everyone.