Parental attitudes to pre-pubertal HPV vaccination

Objectives: To determine the acceptability of childhood HPV vaccination and examine demographic, cultural, and psychosocial predictors of vaccine acceptance. Design: School-based survey. Participants: Questionnaires sent to 1205 mothers of 8-14-year-old girls. Responses from 684 were included in the analyses. Setting: Ten schools (seven primary, three secondary) in four areas of England. Results: Seventy-five percent of mothers would accept the vaccine for their daughter. Vaccine acceptance was higher in mothers who had experience of cancer in the family (OR = 1.61, CI: 1.14-2.29), had older daughters (OR = 1.15, CI: 1.04-1.27), perceived approval from husband/partner (OR = 14.51, CI: 6.15-34.25) and believed vaccine acceptance would be more normative (OR = 1.78, CI: 1.59-2.01). Having concerns about too many vaccinations (OR = 0.22, CI: 0.15-0.31) or vaccine side effects (OR = 0.37, CI: 0.28-0.50) and worry about increasing promiscuity (OR = 0.47, CI: 0.36-0.62) emerged as deterrents. The modal preferred age was 12 years. Endorsing vaccination at earlier ages was predicted by feeling able to discuss related topics, including sex, at younger ages (OR = 1.37, CI: 1.24-1.51) and concern about increasing promiscuity (OR = 0.61, CI: 0.47-0.78). Conclusions: Overall, there was a favourable response to HPV vaccination. Emphasising the widespread acceptance of the vaccine might promote acceptance further, as would information on immunological and social benefits of earlier vaccination. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.