Motives and attitudes of parents toward HPV vaccination: Results from the initial period of HPV vaccine rollout in Serbia

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287295
• Publication Date: 2023-07-06T17:30:03Z
• Authors: Mirjana Štrbac; Vladimir Vuković; Tatjana Pustahija; Nataša Nikolić; Smiljana Rajčević; Svetlana Ilić; Tihomir Dugandžija; Aleksandra Patić; Mioljub Ristić; Vladimir Petrović
• Keywords: Parents; Motivation; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Science; Q; Papillomavirus Infections; Vaccination; R; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; 3. Good health; Cross-Sectional Studies; Attitude; Surveys and Questionnaires; Medicine; Humans; Female; Papillomavirus Vaccines; Child; Serbia; Research Article

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most common viral infections in sexually active population worldwide, and main cause cervical cancer, which fourth cancer among women. Serbia ranks third incidence mortality rate Europe. We conducted a cross-sectional study considering parents' motivation for HPV vaccination their children. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics logistic regression model. found that strongest motive was "Recommendation from paediatrician" (20.2%), followed by attitude vaccine protects against cancers different localization (15.4%), "It better to vaccinate child than expose them potential risk infection" (13.3%) "Feeling anxiety due possible child" (13.1%). For those parents vaccinated some other motive, reasons like "Vaccine free charge", friends family" "My received all obligatory vaccines, so I want receive this as well", were significantly more frequently selected. In group where paediatricians' recommendation not accepting vaccine, largest percentage (89.6%) selected "HPV localization" (78.1%). Paediatrician's very important decision vaccinate, however, motives also influenced had significance making children HPV. Encouraging trust public health authorities Serbia, highlighting advantages further encouraging healthcare workers give stronger recommendations can increase uptake. Finally, we provided basis create targeted messages will empower