Purpose: The aim was to explore young women’s decision-making process for HPV vaccination

Method: This study employed a qualitative design. Data were collected by tape-recorded interviews with 17 Swedish women aged 17-26 years. Data were analysed by latent content analysis.

Findings: In general, the young women had confidence in the vaccination and emphasised vaccination against cancer. Mother’s support and sponsor of costs initiated the HPV vaccination. Other trigger factors were advertisements and friends. Despite having been vaccinated, they were unaware of the association between sexual behaviour and HPV. They believed that HPV vaccination would not affect their future sexual behaviour.

Conclusion: Health care professionals at youth clinics and schools have to initiate discussion for clarifying the association between cervical cancer and a sexually transmitted virus.