Acceptability of school requirements for human papillomavirus vaccine

Hum Vaccin. 2011 Sep;7(9):952-7. doi: 10.4161/hv.7.9.15995.

Abstract

We characterized parental attitudes regarding school HPV vaccination requirements for adolescent girls. Study participants were 866 parents of 10–18 y-old girls in areas of North Carolina with elevated cervical cancer incidence. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by logistic regression. Approximately half (47%) of parents agreed that laws requiring HPV immunization for school attendance "are a good idea" when opt-out provisions were not mentioned. Far more agreed that "these laws are okay only if parents can opt out if they want to" (84%). Predictors of supporting requirements included believing HPV vaccine is highly effective against cervical cancer (OR = 2.5, 95% CI:1.7–.0) or is more beneficial if provided at an earlier age (OR = 16.1, 95% CI:8.4–1.0). Parents were less likely to agree with vaccine requirements being a good idea if they expressed concerns related to HPV vaccine safety (OR = 0.3, 95% CI:0.1–.5), its recent introduction (OR = 0.3, 95% CI:0.2–.6). Parental acceptance of school requirements appears to depend on perceived HPV vaccine safety and efficacy, understanding of the optimal age for vaccine administration, and inclusion of opt-out provisions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Papillomavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Papillomavirus Vaccines