Blog 8: HPV Vaccine Doesn’t Alter Sexual Behavior Study Finds, Jennifer Wall October 19 2012 4:08 pm

HPV or the human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. It can cause many different types of cancers but it can be easily prevented by giving both girls and boys the HPV immunization shot.  The shot became available in 2006 and at that time, the public health officials began to recommend that young women be vaccinated. They suggested that the vaccinations start as early as eleven years old. Last year, they began to recommend the same for preadolescent boys. While this shot is considered safe and very effective at preventing HPV, many parents have been hesitant to give the shot to their daughters. One of the main reasons for this hesitancy, is that because of the nature of the shot and what it is intended on preventing, some parents feel that giving it to their daughters will encourage them to be more promiscuous. While doctors have tried to convince parents otherwise, there was no absolute proof until now. A study lead by Robert A. Bednarczyk, of the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research Southeast, in Atlanta, GA, has shown that there is no evidence to suggest that giving the shot to young women causes any changes in participation in risky sexual behaviors.

The HVP virus is not contained just to the United States. It affects girls and women in all countries. The solution to preventing the spread of the virus is simple and effective. However, personal attitudes and emotions sometimes have a tendency to get in the way of doing what is best, especially when it relates to sex and children. It may be easy to see why parents might be worried about the emotional effects of giving such a shot but it is important for them to set aside their emotional concerns and do what is best for their children. Although this new study was conducted in the United States, it will hopefully help parents everywhere to understand that their concerns are not valid and enable them to take the steps necessary in order to prevent their children from getting this virus.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/15/hpv-vaccination-does-not-change-sexual-behavior/