Parental beliefs and knowledge about male human papillomavirus vaccination in the US: a survey of a pediatric clinic population
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Meridith Griebeler
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine US parental knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) in males, views on vaccination, and correlation to vaccination rates. The survey was conducted of clinic population about parental knowledge and beliefs of male HPV health outcomes and vaccination. There were a total of 102 participants who completed the survey. Perceived parental knowledge about the virus was reported as “a lot” by 11%, “some” by 50%, and “very little/nothing” by 38% of the participants. However, knowledge of HPV was moderate, with only 14% of the respondents answering all knowledge questions correctly; 64% of the respondents correctly identified HPV as a cause of genital warts in males, 43% identified at least one HPV-related cancer, and 30% were unable to identify any health outcomes in males. There was a statistically significant correlation between perceived and actual knowledge, with >15% of the survey respondents correctly identifying that HPV does not clear up on its own (p=0.004). Of the participants who did not vaccinate, reasons included the following: 54% fulfilled the child’s wish not to be vaccinated, 38% reported belief vaccine is unsafe, and 38% indicated that their children are too young and/or expressed fear that the vaccine would negatively affect behavior. This study supports the fact that parental beliefs and attitudes are more important than actual knowledge about HPV or HPV vaccination. The implication to physicians is to tailor discussions to address fears about the dangers or complications, emphasize the safety of the vaccine, and address sources of misinformation.
©2012 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
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Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Masthead
- Editorial
- Community singing: what does that have to do with health?
- Review Articles
- Internet use, misuse, and addiction in adolescents: current issues and challenges
- Early executive function deficit in preterm children and its association with neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood: a literature review
- Original Articles
- Access to contraception and HIV testing among young women in a peri-urban district of Uganda
- Addressing the needs of adolescent mothers and their offspring in Nigeria: a community-based study
- Parental beliefs and knowledge about male human papillomavirus vaccination in the US: a survey of a pediatric clinic population
- Educating for the future: adolescent girls’ health and education in West Bengal, India
- Knowledge, attitude, and practice of cervical cancer screening among Greek students: a short report
- Environment factors associated with adolescents’ body mass index, physical activity and physical fitness in Kuching South City, Sarawak: a cross-sectional study
- Reading increases ocular illuminance during light treatment
- Sex-related perceptions associated with sexual activity status among Japanese adolescents who heavily use text messaging
- If I value myself, I value school: The protective effect of self-esteem among abused females
- The poverty puzzle: the surprising difference between wealthy and poor students for self-efficacy and academic achievement
- Exploring resilience: strengths of trafficking survivors in Cambodia
- Deliberate self-poisoning: a study from Nablus
