Vaccine
Volume 27, Issue 38, Pages 5171-5292 (20 August 2009)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0264410X

Regular Papers
Attitudes toward HPV vaccination among parents of adolescent girls in Mysore, India
Pages 5203-5208
Purnima Madhivanan, Karl Krupp, M.N. Yashodha, Laura Marlow, Jeffrey D. Klausner, Arthur L. Reingold

Abstract
This study investigates attitudes toward human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among parents of adolescent girls in Mysore, India. Seven focus group discussions were held among parents of adolescent girls stratified by sex, religion and region to explore attitudes about cervical cancer and HPV vaccination. The study found that while parents have limited knowledge about HPV or cervical cancer, most are still highly accepting an HPV vaccine. In addition, high acceptability levels appear to reflect positive attitudes toward the government universal immunization program in general, rather than to the HPV vaccine in particular. The results highlight the need for additional education and health promotion regarding HPV and cervical cancer prevention in India.