Evaluation of the acceptability in France of the vaccine against papillomavirus (HPV) among middle and high school students and their parents

Abstract

Background The pathogenic and oncogenic roles of papillomavirus (HPV) infections have been documented and shown to occur in women as well as in men. While other countries have already extended their vaccination guidelines to include boys, in 2019 the French National Authority for Health validated implementation of HPV vaccination in the 2020 vaccination schedule. There is, however, a climate of distrust in regard to vaccination in France, and there have been few studies to date regarding the acceptability of HPV vaccination in boys in France. The aim of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the acceptability of extending the recommendations for HPV vaccination in men, among middle and high school students and their parents. Methods Our study (HPVac) was a prospective, multicenter, departmental, and descriptive survey applied to a sample of male middle and high school students attending schools in the Loire-Atlantique department and their parents. It took place from January 2017 to January 2018. Results We analyzed the information obtained from 127 parent questionnaires and 145 children questionnaires. In terms of acceptability, 36.6% (n = 53) of the children and 37.8% (n = 48) of the parents were in favour of being vaccinated or of having their children vaccinated against HPV (51.7% (n = 75) and 50.4% (n = 64), respectively, were undecided). The perception of a risk stemming from HPV infection was positively associated with acceptability of the HPV vaccine. Being against vaccines in general, being discouraged by their parents, parents thinking that their child is not at risk, and the belief that the vaccine is not mandatory were arguments cited and significantly associated with a willingness to be vaccinated.

HPV Vaccination Attitudes and Behaviors among General Practitioners in Italy

“…While an overwhelming concern in terms of perceived vaccine safety and efficacy was dominant in this survey for the parents for refusing the HPV vaccination for their sons, parents indicated also the lack of knowledge of the infection, and because they did not feel that their sons were at risk. These findings were also consistent with the results from similar previously studies [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. The poor GPs and parents’ knowledge and attitudes on the important role of the vaccination will prevent them from being proactive respectively in recommending and requesting vaccination services.…”

Sexual behaviour, human papillomavirus and its vaccine: a qualitative study of adolescents and parents in Andalusia

“…Due to the lack of knowledge about this infection, they may fill the knowledge gap with what they know about other STIs. This leads to the fact that in the verbatims of parents and students we find that the risk of infection is underestimated, especially in men, which coincides with previous studies [41].…”

Barriers towards HPV Vaccinations for Boys and Young Men: A Narrative Review

“…There is a broad variation in boys’ opinions about HPV vaccination, and whether they intend to be vaccinated or not. Only 29% were willing to be vaccinated among boys in the USA and 37% in France, while a Swedish study found that boys seem to be in favor of being vaccinated [ 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

“…The intention among parents to have their sons vaccinated varies considerably between countries and sociodemographic groups. Parents in Brazil seem to be in favor with an acceptance of 86% [ 25 ], whereas parts of the USA (43%) and France (38%) present much lower figures [ 14 , 15 ]. Mothers are in favor of vaccinating their sons [ 27 ] but there may be a discrepancy between their stated belief that vaccination is important and their actual intention to have their sons vaccinated [ 28 ].…”

“…However, it should be noted that parents tend to overestimate the age of sexual debut for their adolescent children [ 41 ]. Further reasons not to vaccinate the sons were the belief that the vaccine is harmful and/or gives limited benefit [ 42 ], fear of unknown side-effects [ 17 , 33 , 40 ] and vaccine hesitancy in general [ 15 , 42 ]. Cost is also a significant barrier, especially for economically underprivileged parents [ 27 , 43 ].…”