Parents' hesitance to vaccinate their daughters with the human papillomavirus vaccine and its associated factors in Northwest Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Human papillomaviruses are the most common sexually transmitted infections, and persistent infection can lead to cervical cancer. In line with WHO recommendations to prevent cervical cancer, human papillomavirus vaccination is considered mandatory. Despite various challenges influencing decision-making for HPV vaccination, including HPV vaccine hesitancy, efforts are made to promote its uptake.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1 to April 30 among 400 parents of adolescents. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. A structured questionnaire was employed for data collection, and the data were gathered through interviews. Subsequently, the data were entered into EPI data 3.1 statistical software and analyzed using SPSS version 25. The association between variables was analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models, and a p-value <0.05 at 95% confidence interval was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 400 participants were included with a response rate of 99.3%. The prevalence of HPV vaccine hesitancy among parents of daughters was 54%. Multivariable logistic regression showed that educational status (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.8, 95% CI: (0.69-0.93)), effectiveness of HPV vaccine (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI: (1.14-3.17)), knowledge (AOR = 0.5, 95% CI: (0.13-0.75)), and obtained information (AOR = 3.1, 95% CI: (2.24-4.29)) were significantly associated with human papillomavirus vaccine hesitancy.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that parents' hesitance to vaccinate their daughters with the human papillomavirus vaccine was high. Parents' hesitance to vaccinate their daughters with the human papillomavirus vaccine was strongly associated with the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, obtained information about the HPV vaccine, knowledge, and educational status.