The Acceptability of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine among Parents and Guardians of Newborn to 10-year-old Children

Abstract 

Study Objective

The purpose of our study was to evaluate HPV vaccine acceptance among parents and guardians of children aged 0-10 years.

Design

Prospective questionnaire study.

Setting

Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital.

Participants

Parents and guardians of children aged 0-10 years.

Interventions

Brief HPV vaccine educational intervention.

Outcome Measure

Desire for child to get HPV vaccine.

Results

We enrolled 81 participants in the study; 70 (86%) were female, and 39 (49%) were Caucasian. Prior to receiving an educational fact sheet about HPV and the HPV vaccine, only 49% of participants reported that they wanted their young child to receive the HPV vaccine when it becomes available. After receiving the fact sheet, this number increased to 70%, suggesting that a simple educational intervention could significantly affect vaccine acceptance in this population (P = .001). Other significant results of this study included that HPV vaccination would receive greater acceptance if the participants believed that it can prevent HPV infection in their child (P = .0024), it was perceived to be safe (P = .0005), and if the vaccine were recommended by a physician (P < .0001). Participants’ attitudes about HPV vaccination were not affected by concerns over whether receiving the vaccine might mean the child is more likely to have sex or to have multiple sexual partners.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that if it were approved for children aged 0-10 years, the HPV vaccine would be accepted by the parents and guardians provided they received adequate educational information about it.

Key Words: Human papillomavirus vaccine, Health knowledge, attitudes, practice, pediatrics