ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study investigated the intention of mothers in Israel to vaccinate their sons against HPV, using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a framework, while comparing between Arab and Jewish mothers. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study has a quantitative cross-sectional design. A convenience sample of 200 Jewish and Arab mothers of boys aged 5-18 completed a questionnaire based on the HBM. RESULTS: The research findings indicate that only 14% of the mothers, constituting mostly Arab mothers, vaccinated their sons against HPV. Moreover, mothers showed a moderate level of intention to vaccinate their sons. This level was similar among Arab and Jewish mothers. However, the health beliefs of Jewish and Arab mothers differed. The HBM was found to explain 68% of mothers' intention to vaccinate their sons against HPV, and the perceived benefits of the vaccine were the factor most affecting this intention. CONCLUSIONS: Although mothers' health beliefs concerning vaccinating their sons against HPV may vary between sectors, the HBM can be used to explain what motivates mothers to vaccinate their sons. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The research findings can assist in designing a national project among mothers of boys aimed at raising HPV vaccination rates, in both the Jewish and the Arab sector.
