Awareness of HPV and HPV vaccines, acceptance to vaccination and its influence factors among parents of adolescents 9 to 18 years of age in China: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundVaccination uptake rates for adolescents are still low in China despite safe and effective human papillomavirus vaccines being available. The awareness and attitudes of parents to HPV vaccines play a decisive role in adolescents' HPV vaccination uptake. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from March, 2022 to May, 2022 using an anonymous questionnaire among parents of 9 to 18 years of age from 73 cities in 23 provinces in mainland China. Demographic characteristics of parents, their knowledge and attitudes about HPV and HPV vaccination, as well as factors influencing HPV vaccination in adolescents were assessed. ResultsMore than two-thirds of parents heard of HPV (75.5%) and HPV vaccines (84.7%). Of these participants, mothers (83.8%) were in the majority. Parents willing to vaccinate themselves and their children against HPV were 84.9% and 87.6%, respectively. Parents were more likely to vaccinate their daughters against HPV than their sons (P < 0.001). Parents who had heard of the HPV vaccines (P = 0.028) or had vaccinated themselves (P < 0.001) were more likely to have HPV vaccination for their children. Parents who accepted the price of the HPV vaccines (P = 0.005) were more likely to have their children vaccinated against HPV. ConclusionsChildren's gender, awareness of the HPV vaccines, parental HPV vaccination, and the price of the HPV vaccines are likely to be the reason for parents' vaccine hesitancy for adolescents. Practice implicationsNurses have a critical role in identifying parental hesitancy and providing individualized education to expand the parental awareness and knowledge and encourage on-time adolescents vaccination.