Key Factors Influencing Italian Mothers’ Intention to Vaccinate Sons against HPV: The Influence of Trust in Health Authorities, Anticipated Regret and Past Behaviour

Starace Starace,Carfora Carfora,Conner Conner,Caso Caso

doi:10.3390/su11236879

Starace Starace, Carfora Carfora + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su11236879

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Abstract

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world, is associated with different types of cancer, especially cervical cancer. In Italy in 2017 the Italian Ministry of Health introduced a free HPV vaccination programme for 12-years-old boys. In this study we tested an integrated theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model to explain Italian mothers’ intention to vaccinate their sons against HPV. TPB variables plus past behaviour, trust in healthy authorities and anticipated regret were measured by a questionnaire in a sample of 333 Italian mothers of 6–11 years old boys, who were not yet vaccinated against HPV. Results showed that subjective norm was the strongest predictor of mothers’ intention followed by anticipated regret, trust in health authorities, perceived behavioural control and attitude. Mediation analysis found that past behaviour influenced intention via attitude. The discussion considers the relevance of these factors in promoting mothers’ adherence.

Highlights

The Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world and is associated with different types of cancer in females, especially cervical cancer
Another study [6] showed that parents, who were concerned about the exposure of their sons to HPV and perceived it as a risky infection, were more likely to accept HPV vaccination for their sons
In order to examine the Italian mothers’ intention to initiate HPV vaccination in their male children, we focused on theory of planned behaviour (TPB) variables and the additional role of past behaviour about the adherence to other recommended vaccinations, anticipated regret about the failure to vaccinate and trust in health authorities

Summary

Introduction

The Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world and is associated with different types of cancer in females, especially cervical cancer. A systematic review on 19 international studies (excluding Italy) [3] summarized the role of a list of factors, such as parents’ knowledge on prophylaxis, parents’ concerns with safety and/or side effects, parents’ trust in health provider and/or government and/or school, positive parental attitudes and parent-child communication. In the specific case of the daughters’ vaccination, the parental decisions were based on different aspects, such as knowledge about HPV, attitudes of healthcare providers, attitudes of parents, potential unintended consequences of HPV vaccination [4]. Another study [6] showed that parents, who were concerned about the exposure of their sons to HPV and perceived it as a risky infection, were more likely to accept HPV vaccination for their sons

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