Factors influencing the willingness of US women to vaccinate their daughters against the human papillomavirus to prevent cervical cancer

Abstract

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps to prevent cervical cancer. However, research indicates that public acceptance of the vaccine is suboptimal. Our aims were to evaluate the willingness of US women to use the HPV vaccine in their daughters, examine their current understanding of HPV, and determine the impact of HPV knowledge and other socio-demographic factors on their willingness to get their daughters vaccinated. Women aged ≥ 18 years were identified from the US Health Information National Trends Survey. We developed a 6-point composite scoring system based on individual responses to HPV-related questions to characterize personal understanding about HPV. Logistic regression models were constructed to explore the influence of the women's HPV knowledge level and additional socio-demographic factors on the willingness to use HPV in their daughters. There were 804 female respondents: mean age was 44.9 (SD = 2.53) years and 73 % were White. In total, 75 % of women indicated they would vaccinate their daughters against HPV. Mean knowledge score was 4.6 (SD = 0.80). While White race was associated with higher willingness to use the vaccine in their daughters (OR = 1.86, p = 0.04), HPV knowledge level was not (OR = 0.47, p = 0.22). Among US women, HPV knowledge level was high, but it was not associated with the willingness to vaccinate their daughters against HPV. Interventions focused on alleviating racial disparities might better modify the use of the HPV vaccine.

Prioritizing US Cervical Cancer Prevention With Results From a Geospatial Model

“…29–31 For instance, in Connecticut, 32 heterogeneity in the occurrence of cervical cancer precursors is reported. Culturally competent locally targeted outreach needs to be part of cervical cancer control programs.…”

Approaching a decade since HPV vaccine licensure: Racial and gender disparities in knowledge and awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine

“…13 While not universally accepted, one of the suggested interventions to improve HPV vaccine uptake is increasing HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge. [14][15][16] Previous studies have demonstrated that HPV knowledge and awareness is associated with interest in receiving the HPV vaccine, 17 acceptance of the HPV vaccine, 18 intent to receive the HPV vaccine, 19 and actual uptake of the HPV vaccine. 20 Similarly, HPV awareness among parents of adolescent children is associated with a greater interest in having one's child vaccinated.…”

Association between parent attitudes and receipt of human papillomavirus vaccine in adolescents

“…HPV vaccine series completion, which included three doses in 2015, was recently estimated at 35% in the U.S. Factors contributing to low population-level HPV vaccine coverage are not well understood. Parents are generally aware of the HPV vaccine [ 2 ], but specific knowledge about HPV vaccination (e.g., schedule, benefits) is weakly correlated with actual coverage [ 3 ]. While multiple causes likely exist, low coverage is hypothesized to be a function of hesitancies, ambivalence, or resistance by many parents who are deciding about their child’s healthcare.…”