ABSTRACT
Despite the fact that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV-related cancers are on the rise in men, male HPV vaccine series completion is less than 10% in many areas. This study examined parental knowledge of the HPV vaccine and intent to vaccinate their sons. A cross-sectional study of 341 parents of boys was conducted in school settings in rural southeastern Georgia. Mothers were 2.07 times more likely than fathers to vaccinate their sons. Future research directions should include strategies to increase HPV vaccination in both genders and focus on parents' perceived severity and vulnerability of their sons to HPV infection.
Subject(s)
Fathers/psychology , Mothers/psychology , Nuclear Family/psychology , Papillomavirus Infections/therapy , Papillomavirus Vaccines/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Papillomavirus Infections/prevention & control , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was approved for girls aged 9-24 years in 2006 to prevent HPV infection and cervical cancer. The Parental Human Papillomavirus Survey (PHPVS) was framed on theoretical constructs of the health belief model (HBM) and developed to survey parents regarding their HPV knowledge, attitudes, and intent to vaccinate. METHODS: We evaluated the psychometric properties of the PHPVS using classical item analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) among a sample of 200 parents/caregivers. RESULTS: The EFA yielded a 4-factor unidimensional model that explained between 62% and 68% of the total variance depending on the extraction method used. The estimated Cronbach's alpha for the PHPVS was .96. CONCLUSIONS: The PHPVS is a reliable measure of HPV knowledge, attitudes, and intent to vaccinate.
Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Surveys , Immunization , Papillomavirus Infections/prevention & control , Papillomavirus Vaccines , Parents , Surveys and Questionnaires , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Healthcare Disparities , Humans , Intention , Primary Health Care , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , Southeastern United StatesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To identify predictors of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among rural African American families. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study in schools in three rural counties in southeastern United States. The sample consisted of African American parents or caregivers with children 9 to 13 years of age who attended elementary or middle school in 2010-2011. METHODS: Using an anonymous, 26-item survey, we collected descriptive data during parent-teacher events from African American parents with children in elementary or middle school. The main outcome was measured as a response of "yes" to the statement "I have or will vaccinate my child with the HPV vaccine." In addition, composite scores of knowledge and positive attitudes and beliefs were compared. No interventions were conducted. FINDINGS: We identified predictors of HPV vaccination and found that religious affiliation had a correlation with vaccinating or planning to vaccinate a child. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate a need for further research on the role of local culture, including religion and faith, in rural African Americans' decisions about giving their children the HPV vaccination. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study emphasizes the importance of understanding rural African American parents' knowledge, attitudes, and spiritual beliefs when designing health education programs and public health interventions to increase HPV vaccination uptake among African American boys and girls living in rural areas.
