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. 2012:2012:401979.
doi: 10.1155/2012/401979. Epub 2011 Nov 15.

Decision-Making about the HPV Vaccine among Ethnically Diverse Parents: Implications for Health Communications

Jennifer D Allen  1 , Maria de Jesus, Dana Mars, Laura Tom, Lindsay Cloutier, Rachel C Shelton
Affiliations

Decision-Making about the HPV Vaccine among Ethnically Diverse Parents: Implications for Health Communications

Jennifer D Allen et al. J Oncol. 2012.

Abstract

Objective: To describe parents' knowledge, attitudes, and decision-making with regard to obtaining the HPV vaccine for their daughters.

Methods: White, Black, and Hispanic parents of daughters who were age eligible to receive the HPV vaccine (9-17 years) were recruited from community settings to participate in focus groups. Parents were asked about knowledge and awareness of HPV, decision-making about HPV vaccine, as well as preferred and actual sources of HPV information.

Results: Seven focus groups (n = 64 participants) were conducted. Groups were segmented by gender (women = 72%) and race/ethnicity (Black = 59%; White = 23%; Hispanic = 19%). Prevalent themes included: insufficient information to make informed decisions; varied preferences for involvement in decision-making; concerns about vaccine safety; mistrust of medical providers and pharmaceutical companies; and mismatch between actual and preferred sources of information.

Discussion: Improving communication between providers and caregivers and helping parents to access information necessary for informed decision-making, while alleviating concerns about vaccine safety, may help to improve vaccine acceptance.

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