Screening Awareness of HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancers and Attitudes and Concerns towards HPV Vaccination Among Parents

Abstract

Baseline population opinions on human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccination must be understood before physicians can address knowledge gaps in that population and encourage timely vaccination. To determine the opinions of parents of children age 9 to 18 on HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers (OPC); the associations with education level, socioeconomic status, and having a family member/friend with OPC; and the main concerns against having a vaccination., An anonymous survey was created and administered. Parents were asked to complete the survey if they met the inclusion criteria. After the survey, results were tabulated, and the answers for each question were analyzed. The target population was surveyed in the clinic. The target population was parents with children between 9 and 18\xa0years old: the background knowledge and awareness of HPV-related OPC and associations with education level, socioeconomic status, having a family member/friend with OPC, and concerns about vaccination. Our study results showed that the age of parents, education level, marital status, personal vaccination status, and gender of the child are significant factors for background knowledge about HPV-related diseases. Similarly, the education level, the gender of the child, and personal vaccination status are significant factors towards attitudes against having children vaccinated. There is a strong correlation between background knowledge and attitudes. The main issues about vaccination are concerns about effectiveness and side effects, concerns about safe sex experiences, and the cost of vaccination. This is the first study designed to provide information on parents’ knowledge of HPV-related cancers, prevalence of HPV vaccination, and attitudes and concerns about HPV vaccination in the USA. The lack of awareness of HPV-related cancers is a significant factor in attitudes against HPV vaccination.