"It All Depends": A Qualitative Study of Parents' Views of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine for their Adolescents at Ages 11-12 years.

Routine vaccination with three doses of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended for adolescent girls and boys at 11 or 12 years of age; however, vaccine uptake remains suboptimal. To understand the reasons why parents may accept or refuse HPV vaccine for their children at age 11 or 12 years, we conducted a qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents or guardians (n = 45) whose adolescents receive care at an urban, hospital-based primary care practice. Data were analyzed using an iterative thematic approach. We found that many parents expressed high levels of support for HPV vaccine, including a majority who agreed with vaccination at age 11-12 years. Parents recognized that for prevention of consequences of HPV infection, vaccination of their child early in adolescence was desirable conceptually. However, many parents also expressed that in practice, HPV vaccine should be given to adolescents at the onset of sexual activity, a perception that led to preferences to delay administration of HPV vaccine among certain parents. These apparently contradictory views indicate the need for interventions focused on the benefits of vaccination at the recommended ages. Our findings may be useful in providers' discussions with parents about the vaccine, as pediatric and adolescent health care providers have the unique opportunity to educate parents and clarify misconceptions about vaccination.

Parents' Recall and Reflections on Experiences Related to HPV Vaccination for Their Children.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage remains suboptimal in the United States. We conducted in-depth interviews with parents of adolescents from an urban primary care center serving a low-income minority population to describe their experiences. We identified the following themes: (a) parents of unvaccinated children generally had not discussed the vaccine with providers and had low awareness; (b) among unaware parents, provision of brief information generally resulted in positive comments about the vaccine; (c) vaccine was typically not requested by parents but rather offered by providers; (d) strength of the recommendations from providers varied, and vaccine was sometimes presented as optional or low priority; (e) parents had low awareness of the three-dose regimen and poor recall about completion; and (f) limited understanding of why boys should be vaccinated. More than 7 years after the introduction of HPV vaccine, there is substantial room for improving the way it is recommended and discussed by providers.

Parents' views on human papillomavirus vaccination for sexually transmissible infection prevention: a qualitative study.

UNLABELLED: Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmissible infection (STI) in the United States (US) and an important cause of several cancers. Vaccines that prevent HPV infections are now recommended for routine use in adolescents but coverage remains suboptimal in the US. Because they are often promoted as cancer prevention vaccines, little is known about parents' views on vaccination for prevention of an STI. METHODS: In this qualitative study, parents and caregivers of children ages 10-18 years completed an in-depth interview. Participants (n=38) were recruited from an urban hospital-based primary care centre serving a low-income population in the north-eastern US during May 2013-February 2014. Interviews were transcribed and coded using a thematic content approach. RESULTS: Five major themes emerged with relevance to the topic of HPV vaccination for STI prevention: (1) low awareness of HPV as an STI; (2) favourable opinions about STI prevention messages for vaccination, including at young ages; (3) salience of sexual mode of transmission, given the unpredictability of adolescent sexual behaviour and high rates of other STIs and teen pregnancy; (4) recognition that sexual health is a topic of conversation between adolescents and health care providers; and(5) relevance of personal experience. CONCLUSIONS: Discussing STI prevention in the context of HPV vaccination appears to be well accepted by urban, low-income minority families. In addition to providing information on cancer prevention, these messages may help to raise awareness, acceptability and uptake of HPV vaccines.