Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in males: Associations of HPV-related knowledge and perceptions with HPV vaccination intention among Korean mothers of boys

Jihye Choi; Paula Cuccaro; Christine Markham; Sooyoun Kim; Irene Tamí-Maury

doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102566

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in males: Associations of HPV-related knowledge and perceptions with HPV vaccination intention among Korean mothers of boys

Prev Med Rep. 2023 Dec 16:37:102566. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102566. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Authors

Jihye Choi¹, Paula Cuccaro¹, Christine Markham¹, Sooyoun Kim², Irene Tamí-Maury³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.
² Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
³ Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.

Abstract

Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates among males are suboptimal worldwide. In South Korea, little is known about parents' intention to vaccinate boys against HPV. Therefore, we examined the associations of HPV-related knowledge and perceptions with vaccination intention among Korean mothers of boys.

Methods: From August to December 2021, eligible mothers were surveyed about HPV-related knowledge, perceptions, and intention to vaccinate their sons against HPV. Mothers were categorized into no intention, contemplating, and intention to vaccinate groups. Using analysis of variance, we compared the groups' scores on the scales measuring HPV-related knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. We conducted a multinomial logistic regression analysis to assess the associations between the variables and vaccination intention.

Results: Among 361 mothers, 43.9 % had no intention, 60.7 % were contemplating, and 4.4 % intended to vaccinate their sons. The mean percentage of correct answers on the HPV and vaccine knowledge scales were 52.5 % and 62.3 %, respectively. The mean scores on the HPV attitudes and beliefs subscales were significantly different. Higher scores on benefits (OR = 3.04, 95 % CI 1.96 - 4.70; OR = 3.94, 95 % CI 1.54 - 10.70) and influence (OR = 1.48, 95 % CI 1.03 - 2.13; OR = 2.97, 95 % CI 1.44 - 6.14) were associated with contemplating the vaccine and intending to vaccinate sons. Knowledge was not associated with mothers' vaccination intention.

Conclusions: Public health authorities and healthcare providers in Korea can use the results of this study to implement effective interventions that emphasize the importance of male HPV vaccination and encourage parent-son communication about the vaccine.

Keywords: Attitudes; Beliefs; Boys; HPV; Intention; Knowledge; Mothers; Vaccination.