Knowledge and Awareness of Polish Parents on Vaccination against Human Papillomavirus

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.

Vaccine Hesitancy among European Parents-Psychological and Social Factors Influencing the Decision to Vaccinate against HPV: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Due to low adherence to HPV vaccination programs, the European region struggles with vaccination rates lower than 30% among the targeted population. The present report investigated various socio-demographic and psychological factors influencing European parents' hesitancy towards vaccinating their children.

METHODS

As of September 2023, four databases were searched. After applying inclusion criteria, all articles comparing psychological and socio-demographic factors in parents who vaccinate or do not vaccinate their children were included.

RESULTS

Twenty-five primary publications met the criteria, totaling 385,460 responders, of which 311,803 want to or have already vaccinated their child, and 73,555 do not wish to do so. Immigrant and employment status, religion, age of parents and the child's gender seemed to influence their decision to vaccinate their child. Previous experience with vaccines, perceived safety and efficacy and the mother's previous abnormal CCS results also impacted their decision. The caregivers' education, gender, civil status, number of children, family history of neoplasia or mother's CCS attendance did not influence their hesitancy to vaccine.

CONCLUSION

Multiple demographic, social, economic and psychological barriers involved in the parents' hesitancy to vaccinate their children against the HPV virus were highlighted. Specific at-risk categories that need to be targeted with information, education and vaccination campaigns were identified.

National HPV Vaccination Program in Poland-Public Awareness, Sources of Knowledge, and Willingness to Vaccinate Children against HPV

Since 1 June 2023, a nationwide HPV vaccination program was implemented in Poland. This study aimed to identify factors associated with public awareness of the national HPV vaccination program among adults in Poland and willingness to vaccinate children against HPV. This cross-sectional study was carried out between 14 and 17 July 2023 among 1056 adults in Poland. A self-prepared questionnaire was used. Among the respondents, 51.3% had heard about the free HPV vaccination program. The major source of knowledge on the national HPV vaccination program was TV (62%). Only 31.9% of respondents correctly indicated girls and boys aged 12 and 13 as the HPV-vaccination-eligible population. Willingness to vaccinate children against HPV was declared by 63.3% of respondents. Female gender (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.11-1.81; p < 0.01), age 35-64 years (p < 0.05), having higher education (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.11-1.84; p < 0.01), and living in cities with more than 500,000 residents (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.01-2.28; p < 0.05) were significantly associated with higher odds to hear about the national HPV vaccination program. Age 50 years and over (p < 0.05), having higher education (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.09-1.88; p < 0.05), living in cities with more than 500,000 residents (OR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.14-2.83; p < 0.05), and no children under 18 in the home (OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.01-1.89; p < 0.05) were significantly associated with willingness to vaccinate children against HPV.

Awareness and Attitude of Polish Gynecologists and General Practitioners towards Human Papillomavirus Vaccinations

Human papillomavirus (HPV) leads to diseases of the skin and mucous membranes of the anogenital and upper gastrointestinal tract, especially neoplasia. HPV vaccinations effectively protect against the development of HPV-related diseases. However, despite the wide availability of vaccination for patients, only a few percent of Polish children are vaccinated. The reasons for this are certainly complex. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate gynecologists' and general practitioners' knowledge, awareness and attitudes towards HPV vaccination and analyze their opinions about the interest in HPV vaccinations among children and parents. An anonymous, voluntary, cross-sectional survey study was conducted among 300 Polish gynecologists and general practitioners. Participants were from a diverse group with a wide range of work experience and different workplaces. Most of the respondents (83%), especially the gynecologists (p = 0.03), declared informing and discussing with parents the HPV-related diseases and prevention methods. Only 8% of the participants reported a negative reaction from parents when talking about HPV vaccines. However, in practice, physicians very rarely recommend this vaccine. HPV vaccination was recommended more often by female physicians (p = 0.03), general practitioners (p < 0.001), physicians working over five years (p < 0.001), doctors who regularly vaccinated themselves against influenza (p = 0.01) and those who vaccinated their children against HPV (p =0.001). The availability of educational materials for parents and/or patients encouraged physicians to provide this information (p < 0.001). Polish gynecologists and general practitioners declared a positive attitude regarding HPV vaccines; however, they rarely recommended this vaccine. Physicians who vaccinate themselves against influenza and their own children against HPV are more likely to provide information and encourage HPV vaccination in others. Additionally, the availability of educational material for parents and adolescents plays an essential role in the popularization of this vaccination. Knowledge alone is not enough for physicians to recommend the vaccination to patients.

Barriers and Facilitators of Romanian HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccination

BACKGROUND

Many countries had initial success with HPV vaccination campaigns worldwide. The HPV vaccine coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic dropped consistently. The aim of our research is to assess the barriers and facilitators of the current Romanian HPV vaccination campaign.

METHODS

An analytical cross-sectional observational survey was conducted in the Romanian general population; a self-administered questionnaire was used.

RESULTS

1122 responders were interviewed; 666 (59.36%) were parents, and 67 (5.97%) HPV vaccinated themselves. A multinominal logistic regression carried out in the parents' category showed that women with university studies and informed from medical sources have greater chances to HPV vaccinate. Reticence regarding vaccination comes from the high cost of the vaccine and a lack of information. Only 118 (10.51%) vaccinated against HPV. From the logistic regression analysis, gender (ORa 0.461 = 95% CI: (0.196; 1.083)), geographic area of residence (ORa = 0.517; 95% CI: (0.331; 0.807)), and the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the National Vaccination Program (ORa = 2.4; 95% CI: (1.361; 4.235)) were the factors found most associated with HPV vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

In the general population, the inclusion of HPV vaccination in the National Vaccination Program would be the most important facilitator of HPV vaccination in Romania. In parents that did not vaccinate their children, one important barrier to HPV vaccination was the high cost of the HPV vaccine and the lack of proper information. The acceptability of HPV vaccination in Romania is low; therefore, public health educational programs are needed.