Parental Acceptance of a Mandatory Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Program

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine factors that influence parent's acceptance of a mandatory school-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program.Methods: A convenience sample of 325 parents, with children aged 9 to 17 years old, completed a 53-item survey. Survey questions targeted their opinions about HPV, the HPV vaccine, and a mandatory HPV vaccination program.2 tests were used to examine relationships between survey items. Results: Characteristics of parents who believed the HPV vaccine should be mandated included limited financial resources (P ‫؍‬ .03), history of HPV-related disease (P ‫؍‬ .04), understanding their child's susceptibility (P ‫؍‬ .03), interest in HPV vaccination for their child (P ‫؍‬ .0001), and knowledge that the vaccine reduces the risk of cervical cancer (P ‫؍‬ .001). Parents of children aged 12 to 14 years old (P ‫؍‬ .02) or who knew the vaccine reduced their child's risk of developing genital warts (P ‫؍‬ .02) and cervical cancer (P ‫؍‬ .001) would be more likely to comply with a mandatory HPV vaccine program.Conclusions Although the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has demonstrated robust efficacy and reasonable safety, suboptimal vaccination rates raise concern and questions.1-6 A survey conducted in 2007 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that approximately 25% of 13-to 17-year-old girls had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine. 5 Moreover, far fewer 9-to 12-year-old and 18-to 26-year-old girls and women have initiated the vaccination series. The poor rate of HPV vaccine coverage for 9-to 12-year-old girls is particularly worrisome because this has been deemed the ideal age to vaccinate. 7 In comparison, coverage for school-entry vaccines during the 2007-2008 school year estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention varied between 94% (varicella) and 96% (hepatitis B).8 The differences in these vastly contrasting rates of vaccination are likely because of many factors, including cost, safety, knowledge, provider issues, access, and controversy.9 -11 However, one simple explanation is that school-entry vaccines are mandated and the HPV vaccine is not.Although discussion of mandating vaccines generates conflicting opinions, this approach has proven very beneficial from a public health perspective. School-mandated vaccination programs have increased coverage for other vaccines. [12][13][14][15] However, such an approach for the HPV vaccine has met some resistance by the medical community. 16 Further, only a minority of parents approve mandating the quadrivalent HPV vaccine. 17,18 Loss of parental autonomy, cost, insufficient data from clinical trials, and too This article was externally peer reviewed.

National HPV Immunisation Programme: Knowledge and Acceptance of Mothers Attending an Obstetrics Clinic at a Teaching Hospital, Kuala Lumpur

“…In the Ferris et al (2010) study on parental acceptance of a mandatory human papillomavirus vaccination programme found that parents with a personal history of HPV infection or genital warts and greater familiarity with the adverse consequences of HPV infection were positive to the school-based vaccination.…”

Parental Cancer Beliefs and Trust in Health Information From Medical Authorities as Predictors of HPV Vaccine Acceptability

“…Constantine and Jerman (2007) found that most parents wanted to vaccinate their children by the 13 years of age, but some would not consider such vaccination before their children reach 16 years of age. Other studies have shown that parents were more likely to accept the vaccine if they had an older daughter in her late teens (Ferris, Horn, & Waller, 2010;Marlow, Waller, & Wardle, 2007a, 2007b.…”

Immunization in Adolescents: Past, Present and Future

“…Some authors reported that Hispanic and black individuals have a higher rate of negative attitudes towards immunization than white individuals [31][32][33], while other studies showed that the Caucasians are less likely to support the uptake of the vaccines than parents of other races and minor ethnicities [34][35][36]. No correlation between race and parental vaccine acceptance was found in other studies [37][38][39]. Nevertheless it is reasonable to suppose that different socio-cultural attitudes towards vaccination and a different perception of risk of catching a disease are often seen in different populations and might influence vaccination choices; however the reasons why differences exist between racial ethnic groups remain largely unknown [40].…”