Parental perspective on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Serbia: Knowledge, attitudes and practice

Abstract

Study objective: Assessing knowledge and attitudes of parents towards human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of their children and estimating factors associated with parental positive attitude towards HPV immunization.

Study design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Two Community Health Centers. A total of 282 adult parents of boys and/or girls who presented at the pediatrician's office with their child aged ≤18 years from December 2015 to May 2016.

Main outcome measures: HPV vaccination coverage with one dose, knowledge and attitudes towards HPV vaccination. Parental knowledge was tested through a set of 10 items such as the infectious nature of HPV, mode of transmission, symptoms and its association with cervical cancer and circumstances surrounding HPV vaccine in Serbia. Answers were graded on a 5-point Likert scale from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree".

Results: Coverage with one dose of HPV vaccine was 2.0%. Majority of parents knew that the vaccine existed (71.0%). One quarter of parents confirmed that their child should be vaccinated against HPV. Parents expressed highest level of agreement with the statement that HPV vaccination in Serbia is not sufficiently promoted (4.17 ± 1.21 points). Having female child and more knowledge on HPV were independently associated with positive attitude towards vaccination among parents of children aged <9 years. Having received recommendation for HPV vaccination from a pediatrician was independently associated with positive attitude towards HPV vaccination among parents of children aged ≥9 years.

Conclusion: Coverage with one dose of HPV vaccine is low. Health-care authorities are urged to consider inclusion of HPV vaccination in immunization schedule.

Keywords: Attitudes; HPV; Knowledge; Parents; Vaccination.