Objective
To determine basal knowledge of mothers about human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine acceptance for their 10- to 15-year-old adolescents.
Method
This study included 618 mothers of 10 to 15 years-old adeloscent from 4 different cities of Turkey who completed a questionnaire that assessed their knowledge of HPV, and their acceptance of HPV vaccine for their daughter and sons.
Results
The median age of the participants was 34.5 ± 7.2 years (range: 21-56 years). Among the mothers, 45% had heard of HPV, and 55% had no knowledge about HPV. Of the parents, 41% knew HPV is related to cervical cancer, while 59% had no opinion about the subject. Of the parents interviewed, 69% reported they would accept HPV vaccination for themselves, 68% for their daughters, and 62% for their sons. Multivariant analysis revealed that acceptance of HPV vaccine for themselves (OR=48, CI: 21.2-111, P<0.0001) and sons (OR=72, CI: 30.5-172.7, P<0.0001) were independent variables for the vaccination acceptance for daughters.
Conclusion
Majority of the mothers would accept HPV vaccine for themselves and their childrens without any intervention. There is a strong relation between mother’s opinion about HPV vaccine and and willingness of their child’s vaccination.
Keywords: HPV, preinvasive cervical neoplasia, cervical cancer, HPV vaccine, Cancer prevention, parents, health knowledge, attitudes