Turkish mothers' knowledge and attitude about HPV vaccine

Parental willingness of HPV vaccination in Mainland China: A meta-analysis

This meta-analysis aimed to systematically review and analyze parental awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) and its vaccine, as well as parental willingness of the HPV vaccine in China. The literature search selected studies that met the following criteria: study published between 2009 and 2023, study design involving parents with at least one child aged ≤ 18 years, sample sizes exceeding 300, availability of data on parental willingness of the HPV vaccine or sufficient information to calculate effect sizes, and studies published in either English or Chinese. Studies that did not meet one of the above points were excluded. From an initial pool of 660 papers, 33 studies were included, encompassing a total sample size of 92,802. The analysis revealed that the pooled awareness rates of HPV and the HPV vaccine among Chinese parents were 45.0% (95% CI: 36.1-54.0%) and 41.4% (95%CI: 30.7-52.5%), respectively. The overall parental willingness for vaccinating children against HPV was 61.0% (95% CI: 53.5-68.3%). Both parental awareness and willingness of the HPV vaccine in China were found to remain low when compared to other countries.

Human Papilloma Virus Infection and Vaccine Knowledge Levels, Attitudes, Beliefs in University Students: Turkey and Ghana Comparison

Purpose: Studies reported that early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cervical cancer are influenced by knowledge, beliefs, and attitude toward screening. This descriptive-comparative study aimed to assess human papilloma virus (HPV) knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs in university students and the affecting factors and to compare between Turkish and Ghanaian students. Methods: The sample consists of 933 university students studying in 4 different faculties in 2 universities from Turkey and Ghana. The data were collected between November 2019 and February 2020. The study's data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance, Pearson Correlation test, t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The findings of the study showed that none of the students in both countries had HPV vaccination. It was found that students have low level of knowledge about HPV infection and vaccine (3.28 ± 2.14) and positive attitudes (16.57 ± 3.28) and beliefs (36.74 ± 6.55) toward vaccine. The attitude score of the Ghanaian students (17.54 ± 3.23) was found to be significantly higher than the Turkish students (15.74 ± 3.09). The knowledge score of the Ghanaian students who had sexual intercourse was found to be significantly higher than others. The findings of the study revealed that the students of both countries had low level of knowledge about HPV infection and vaccine and positive attitudes and beliefs toward the vaccine. Conclusions: It is recommended to increase effective interventions to increase the knowledge level of university students about HPV infection and vaccine. In addition, the vaccine should be included in the immunization program in both countries.

Awareness of HPV and HPV vaccines, acceptance to vaccination and its influence factors among parents of adolescents 9 to 18 years of age in China: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Vaccination uptake rates for adolescents are still low in China despite safe and effective human papillomavirus vaccines being available. The awareness and attitudes of parents to HPV vaccines play a decisive role in adolescents' HPV vaccination uptake.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from March, 2022 to May, 2022 using an anonymous questionnaire among parents of 9 to 18 years of age from 73 cities in 23 provinces in mainland China. Demographic characteristics of parents, their knowledge and attitudes about HPV and HPV vaccination, as well as factors influencing HPV vaccination in adolescents were assessed.

RESULTS

More than two-thirds of parents heard of HPV (75.5%) and HPV vaccines (84.7%). Of these participants, mothers (83.8%) were in the majority. Parents willing to vaccinate themselves and their children against HPV were 84.9% and 87.6%, respectively. Parents were more likely to vaccinate their daughters against HPV than their sons (P < 0.001). Parents who had heard of the HPV vaccines (P = 0.028) or had vaccinated themselves (P < 0.001) were more likely to have HPV vaccination for their children. Parents who accepted the price of the HPV vaccines (P = 0.005) were more likely to have their children vaccinated against HPV.

CONCLUSIONS

Children's gender, awareness of the HPV vaccines, parental HPV vaccination, and the price of the HPV vaccines are likely to be the reason for parents' vaccine hesitancy for adolescents.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Nurses have a critical role in identifying parental hesitancy and providing individualized education to expand the parental awareness and knowledge and encourage on-time adolescents vaccination.