Acceptability of the human papilloma virus vaccine among Moroccan parents: a population-based crosssectional study

ABSTRACT

Data about the public's awareness and acceptability of the human papilloma virus [HPV] vaccine are lacking in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This study aimed to explore parental acceptability of HPV vaccination for their daughters in Morocco. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among mothers and fathers of girls aged 12-15 years at 12 middle schools from 6 regions of Morocco. Despite weak knowledge of genital warts and HPV infection, acceptability of the HPV vaccine was 76.8% [95% CI 73.3-79.9%] among mothers and 68.9% [95% CI 65.2-72.5%] among fathers. Only 8.8% of mothers and 7.0% of fathers were against administration of the HPV vaccine to their daughters. Predictors of parents' acceptance of the HPV vaccine were living in precarious housing/slums and low household income [for mothers] and living in urban areas [for fathers]. These results will be useful for preparing the introduction of the HPV vaccine in health ministry programme