Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
Available online 20 May 2016
Influence of Sources of Information and Parental Attitudes on Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake among Adolescents
Natasha L. Underwood, MPH, CHES1, Lisa M. Gargano, PhD, MPH1, Samantha Jacobs, MPH2,
Katherine Seib, MSPH1, Christopher Morfaw, RN3, Dennis Murray, MD4, James M. Hughes, MD1, 2, Jessica M. Sales, PhD2
Abstract
Study Objective
The purpose of this study was to: 1) describe parental sources of information about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for adolescents, 2) understand how parental sources of information about HPV vaccine are associated with adolescent HPV vaccine uptake and 3) understand if the relationship between a greater number of HPV related information sources and HPV vaccine uptake among adolescents is mediated by parental attitudes.
Design, Setting and Participants
We conducted a three-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in middle and high schools in eastern Georgia from 2011-2013. As part of the trial, we surveyed parents during the final year to understand their sources of information about HPV vaccine for their adolescent. Data were collected from 360 parents via phone and online surveys.
Main Outcome Measures
Parents responded to a survey that asked them to identify demographic information, parental HPV attitudes, sources of information about HPV vaccination and HPV vaccine uptake.
Results
The majority of the sample was African American (74%, n=267) and 53% of parents (n=192) reported that their adolescent received at least 1 HPV vaccine dose. The top sources of information about HPV vaccine reported by parents were: a doctor or medical professional (80%, n=287) and television (64%, n=232). A mediation analysis shows sources of information about HPV vaccine are associated with parental attitudes, and parental attitudes about HPV vaccine are associated with vaccine uptake among adolescents.
Conclusions
These findings highlight the importance of HPV sources of information on parental attitudes.