Acceptance, Knowledge, and Attitude of Parents Toward the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted virus associated with conditions such as skin warts and cervical cancer. Although many individuals clear the infection, some face persistent risks. Cervical cancer, which is linked to certain types of HPV, is a major health concern both globally and in Saudi Arabia, with preventive measures including HPV vaccination. However, parental knowledge and attitudes toward vaccinating their children vary. Therefore, this research aims to assess parental acceptance and understanding of the HPV vaccine in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia using an online questionnaire during 2022-2023. The data were cleaned in Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 29 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). The study assessed parents’ knowledge and acceptance of HPV vaccination. Results A total of 380 participants were included in this study, the majority of whom were female, married, well-educated, and residents of Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Awareness about the HPV vaccine was modest, with only 46.6% of participants having heard of it. Most parents reported that their doctors did not mention the vaccine (62.9%), and 67.1% stated that their children had not received it. Factors influencing acceptance included support from the Ministry of Health and belief in the vaccine’s effectiveness. Concerns about side effects and vaccine effectiveness were the main barriers to vaccination. Sociodemographic factors, including gender, age, education, employment, and number of children, significantly influenced both knowledge and acceptance. Notably, awareness of HPV was strongly associated with acceptance. Conclusions Our study revealed limited knowledge and vaccine acceptance among parents in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. Sociodemographic factors, including gender, age, education, employment, and number of children, significantly influenced both knowledge and acceptance. Thus, sociodemographic factors played a significant role in shaping these attitudes, emphasizing the need for targeted awareness campaigns and improved communication between healthcare providers and parents to enhance vaccine uptake.

The Saudi Population's Knowledge and Attitude Towards Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection and Its Vaccination

“…Moreover, a cross-sectional study carried out in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia revealed a connection between sociodemographic variables, such as gender, age, education, employment, and number of children, and the level of awareness and willingness to accept the HPV vaccine. This implies that specifically addressing these factors could greatly enhance both knowledge and vaccination rates [10]. Furthermore, a comparable outcome was obtained in the southwestern region, indicating a lack of understanding among the participants.…”

Perceptions, Attitudes, and Barriers to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Residents in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Despite the availability of HPV vaccines and the inclusion of HPV vaccination in the national immunization program since 2018, vaccination coverage remains low [9]. Several factors contribute to the low uptake of HPV vaccination in Saudi Arabia, including limited awareness and knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer, cultural and religious beliefs, concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy, and healthcare system-related barriers [10][11][12][13].…”