Parental willingness to pay and preference for human papillomavirus vaccine for girls aged 9-14 in subsidy scenarios in Shanghai, China

Abstract

Multiple studies have documented low human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake among Chinese girls. It remains crucial to determine the parental willingness to pay (WTP) HPV vaccine for girls. We conducted a cross-sectional study recruiting 3904 parents with girls aged 9-14 in Shanghai, China, employing an online questionnaire with a convenience sampling strategy. Parental WTP, both range of payment and estimated point value, were determined for themselves (or wives) and daughters. HPV vaccine uptake was 22.44% in mothers and 3.21% in daughters. Respondents favored WTP ≤ 1000 CNY/138 USD for themselves (or wives), whereas showed increasing WTP along with valency of HPV vaccine for daughters (2-valent: 68.62% ≤1000 CNY/138 USD; 4-valent: 56.27% 1001-2000 CNY/138-277 USD; 9-valent: 65.37% ≥2001 CNY/277 USD). Overall, respondents showed higher WTP for daughters (median 2000 CNY/277 USD; IQR 1000-3600 CNY/138-498 USD) than for themselves (2000 CNY/277 USD; 1000-3500 CNY/138-483 USD) or wives (2000 CNY/277 USD; 800-3000 CNY/110-414 USD) (each p < .05). Furthermore, parental WTP was higher for international vaccine and 9-valent vaccine (each p < 0.05). Between two assumed government subsidy scenarios, parental preference for 9-valent vaccine remained consistently high for daughters (approximately 24% in each scenario), whereas preference for themselves (or wives) was sensitive to payment change between the subsidy scenarios. Using a discrete choice experiment, we found domestic vaccine was commonly preferred; however, certain sociodemographic groups preferred multivalent HPV vaccines. In conclusion, the valency of HPV vaccine may influence parental decision-making for daughters, in addition to vaccine price. Our findings would facilitate tailoring the HPV immunization program in China.

Keywords: China; girl; human papillomavirus vaccine; preference; vaccine intent; willingness to pay.

Figure 1.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination status among mothers (respondents themselves or their wives) and daughters. “Had been vaccinated/had made an appointment” indicated the HPV vaccine uptake. “Intended to accept HPV vaccination, while had not made an appointment” indicated the intent to accept HPV vaccine; the intent was expressed by the respondents for themselves (or their wives) and for their daughters. “Did not intend to receive HPV vaccination” indicated no intent.