Associations Between Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Decisions and Exposure to Vaccine Information in Social Media

Abstract

Purpose Exposure to different types of vaccine information in social media can result in parents making disparate vaccine decisions, including not following national guidelines for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. We sought to characterize parents’ exposure to and engagement with information about HPV vaccination in social media, and the associations between exposure to such information and vaccine decisions for their adolescent children. Methods In 2019, we conducted a web-based survey with a national sample of 1073 parents of adolescents who use social media. The survey assessed whether parents have seen information in favor, against, or mixed about HPV vaccination. Multivariable logistic regressions assessed correlates of vaccine decisions, including HPV vaccine initiation, delay, and refusal. Results Sixty-one percent of parents reported that their children have initiated HPV vaccination. Over one-third of parents (37%) reported seeing HPV vaccine information on social media, which was either in favor (20%), against (5%), or a mix (12%). Parents exposed to information in favor were more likely than those who saw no information to have initiated HPV vaccination (OR = 1.74, 95% CI:1.24, 2.44). Parents exposed to information against vaccination were more likely to have delayed (OR = 3.29, 95% CI:1.66, 6.51) or refused (OR = 4.72, 95% CI:2.35, 9.50) HPV vaccination. Exposure to mixed information was also significantly associated with vaccine delay and refusal. Discussion Our findings suggest that the type of information seen on social media regarding HPV vaccination may influence the decisions parents make about vaccinating their children. Efforts should be sought to increase online information in favor of HPV vaccination and combat vaccine misinformation in social media.

Parental Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions Impacting Willingness to Vaccinate Against the Human Papillomavirus in Trinidad

“…In this study, conspiracy beliefs were negatively correlated with willingness to vaccinate against HPV, findings consistent with other studies in various settings [ 22 - 25 ]. Knowledge was negatively associated with conspiracy beliefs in this survey.…”

Consumption of Health-Related Videos and Human Papillomavirus Awareness: Cross-Sectional Analyses of a US National Survey and YouTube From the Urban-Rural Context

“…At an individual level, the nature of information (favorable or unfavorable) can alter perceptions and actions either positively or negatively. For example, exposure to positive information regarding the HPV vaccine on social media increased the likelihood of having favorable views regarding the HPV vaccine in one study [ 29 ]. In contrast, encounters with antivaccine content were linked with a decrease in HPV vaccine uptake, mediated through increased vaccine hesitancy [ 30 ].…”

Human papillomavirus vaccination coverage among young women in the three sub-Saharan African countries using Demographic and Health Surveys data

“…The current finding is in line with other different studies. 26–28 The possible explanation for these findings could be that women who use internet can access more information about the advantage of the vaccine and the relationship between HPV and CC that might facilitate decision-making regarding vaccination.…”