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

The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine

Jennifer L. Waller¹  Daron Ferris²  Leslie Horn³ 

[1] Department of Biostatistics (JLW);Gynecologic Cancer Prevention Center (DF);Medical College of Georgia (LH), Augusta, Georgia

关键词: Human Papillomavirus;    Health Care Surveys;    Attitude;    Vaccination;   

DOI  :  10.3122/jabfm.2010.02.090091

学科分类：过敏症与临床免疫学

来源: The American Board of Family Medicine

【 摘 要 】

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. χ² 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: Certain characteristics define parents who support a mandatory HPV vaccination program. Greater education of parents and health care providers should improve vaccination uptake, which ultimately reduces morbidity and mortality from HPV related diseases.

• Human Papillomavirus
• Health Care Surveys
• Attitude
• Vaccination

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.^12–15 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 many side effects are the main reasons for lack of parental support.^17,18 In addition, critical appraisal of parental acceptance of a mandatory HPV vaccination program would be beneficial before promoting required HPV vaccination for children. The purpose of this study was to determine factors that influence parental acceptance of a mandatory HPV vaccination program.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   

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