Abstract
Background: The Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) is an essential tool for the prevention of HPV-related cancers. In Puerto Rico, the Secretary of Health established a school entry requirement of at least one dose of HPV vaccination in girls and boys aged 11 and 12 years, taking effect in August 2018. Our study aimed to examine parents’ and guardians’ views of unvaccinated children about the process of implementation of the new HPV vaccination school entry policy in Puerto Rico and identify potential barriers and facilitators related to the implementation of this requirement. Methods: During April through November 2019, we conducted three focus groups (n = 12) and eight in-depth semi-structured interviews with parents of children aged 11 and 12 who had not yet initiated the HPV vaccine series. The interview topics addressed were: perception of vaccination, HPV vaccine and it is inclusion as new school entry requirement practice, procedure of the sources of information, influencers, and willingness to change. The interviews were recorded and transcribed by our staff members. We identified emergent themes through thematic analysis. Results: The participants’ perspective on the HPV vaccine school requirement was mixed. Lack of information of the HPV vaccines and lack of communication about the school-entry requirement were the themes most mentioned in the interviews. Moreover, previous negative experiences from friends or family members and adverse effects deterred some participants from vaccinating their kids. We discussed barriers in the process of soliciting an exemption. Conclusion: Most barriers mentioned by study participants are modifiable. Information about the HPV vaccine mandate’s implementation and educational materials regarding HPV vaccine safety need to be provided to address parents’ concerns related to the vaccine’s side effects. Schools (teachers, principal directors, and administrative staff), the government, and parent organizations need to be part of these efforts. This multilevel approach will help to improve disseminating information about HPV vaccination to clarify doubts and misinformation among parents.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1938 |
| Journal | BMC Public Health |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2021, The Author(s).
Funding
This work was supported by National Cancer Institute (NCI), grant R01CA232743-01A1 (“Implementation of School-Entry Policies for Human Papillomavirus Vaccination”) within University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center. The National Cancer Institute had no role in the study design; collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data; writing of the manuscript; or decision to publish. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NCI. This publication was supported by the Comprehensive Cancer Center of the UPR (a public corporation of the Government of Puerto Rico created in virtue of Law 230 of August 26, 2004, as amended). The content is entirely the authors’ responsibility and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Comprehensive Cancer Center UPR. We thank Dr. Katelyn Wells, Manuel E Rivera, Vilnery Rivera Figueroa and, Glizette Arroyo Morales for your support and collaboration.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus and Comprehensive Cancer Center | |
| National Childhood Cancer Registry – National Cancer Institute | R01CA232743 |
| National Childhood Cancer Registry – National Cancer Institute | |
| City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center | |
| University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center | |
| Universidad de Puerto Rico |
Keywords
- HPV vaccine
- Hispanic
- Parental perspective
- School entry policy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
