Factors that Predict Parental Willingness to Have Their Children Vaccinated against HPV in a Country with Low HPV Vaccination Coverage.

Maria Ganczak,Barbara Owsianka,Marcin Korzeń

doi:10.3390/ijerph15040645

Abstract

Background: Adolescent HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccination is yet to be introduced as a mandatory program in Poland. Polish literature on factors associated with adolescent HPV vaccination is scant, despite the fact that uptake is one of the poorest in the European Union. Objectives: To assess HPV awareness and identify independent predictors for parental willingness to have their children vaccinated against HPV. Methods: All parents of first grade students from three selected high schools in Zgorzelec, Poland, who participated in parent–teacher meetings at the time the study was conducted, had their children unvaccinated regarding HPV, and who gave informed consent to participate were included. There were 600 first grade students; 9 were vaccinated against HPV. This left 591 parents who met the eligibility criteria; the response rate was 76.1%. Results: Awareness of HPV was reported by 55.3% of 450 parents (mean age 42 years, 70.9% females); 85.1% expressed their willingness to vaccinate their children against HPV; 31.3% identified HPV as a sexually transmitted pathogen, and 36.2% identified it as a risk factor of cervical cancer. Multivariable logistic regression analyses indicated that being employed (OR 2.09; 95% CI: 1.10–3.86), having positive attitudes toward vaccines (OR 3.02; 95% CI: 1.34–6.49), previous information about HPV (OR 2.02; 95% CI: 1.17–3.51), and concerns about the side effects of the HPV vaccine (OR 0.60; 95% CI: 0.35–0.99) were independent predictors of parents’ willingness to vaccinate. Conclusions: Attitudes regarding their child being vaccinated against HPV were positive among Polish parents, even though awareness and knowledge of HPV in this group were low. Most of the significant factors that influenced their willingness were modifiable, such as being informed about HPV and having positive attitudes toward vaccines. Future interventions should focus specifically on vulnerable subgroups, such as unemployed parents.

Highlights

IntroductionThe prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections peaks in adolescence in both genders and increases every year from 14 to 24 years of age [2]; it is estimated that approximately one-quarter of HPV infections are acquired by adolescents [3]
Worldwide, an estimated 630 million persons are infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) [1].The prevalence of HPV infections peaks in adolescence in both genders and increases every year from 14 to 24 years of age [2]; it is estimated that approximately one-quarter of HPV infections are acquired by adolescents [3]
The surveyed parents obtained information regarding HPV mainly from nonprofessional sources which may influence their low knowledge level; the majority were in favor of their adolescent child being vaccinated against HPV

Summary

Introduction

The prevalence of HPV infections peaks in adolescence in both genders and increases every year from 14 to 24 years of age [2]; it is estimated that approximately one-quarter of HPV infections are acquired by adolescents [3]. Most of these infections are transient and asymptomatic. Results: Awareness of HPV was reported by 55.3% of 450 parents (mean age 42 years, 70.9% females); 85.1% expressed their willingness to vaccinate their children against HPV; 31.3% identified HPV as a sexually transmitted pathogen, and 36.2% identified it as a risk factor of cervical cancer. Future interventions should focus on vulnerable subgroups, such as unemployed parents

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion