Factors associated with first-generation immigrant parents’ unwillingness to vaccinate their daughters for HPV

Purpose

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates for children of immigrant parents are substantially lower than US peers. This study aimed (1) to assess the prevalence of immigrant parents’ unwillingness to vaccinate their daughters, (2) to compare by race/ethnicity the prevalence of immigrant parents’ unwillingness to vaccinate their daughters, and (3) to examine predictors of the unwillingness stratified by race/ethnicity.

Method

This study conducted a secondary analysis of data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). HPV-related data were extracted and analyzed from first-generation immigrant parents (n = 784) with daughters 11–12 years of age.

Results

The frequency of unwillingness was high for all racial/ethnic groups (43–58%). Non-Hispanic White and Asian parents who were aware of or heard about the HPV vaccine were less likely to be unwilling to vaccinate their daughters. Also, older Hispanic immigrant parents were more likely to be unwilling to vaccinate their daughters for HPV.

Conclusion

To curb future incidences of HPV-related cervical cancers among second-generation immigrant women, efforts are needed to encourage first-generation immigrant parents to presently vaccinate their daughters for HPV.