Parental acceptance of the Human Papillomavirus vaccination among South Asian immigrants living in the Midwest USA

Samina Shams Khan, Purdue University

Abstract

The objective of this investigation was to initiate the first study of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination acceptance among South Asian parents living in the USA. The primary focus of this study was to identify the knowledge, awareness, acceptance, and those factors that influenced South Asian parents' decision regarding the vaccination of their children against HPV. This research utilized a cross-sectional study design conducted among South Asian parents in Indianapolis and the Greater Lafayette area of Indiana. The data were collected online using Qualtrics survey software. The survey included six segments containing questions on: socio-demographic information, knowledge and source of information about HPV, cervical cancer, genital warts, and other relevant questions. The study sample consisted of 136 participants which was diverse in terms of age, sex, country of origin, and religion. The participants were highly educated with 71.3% having or completing a graduate degree. Among all participants, 58.8% were females and 41.2% were males. In this study females were more knowledgeable than men. Duration of stay in the US, annual household income and family history of cancer were the key determinants of HPV related knowledge. More parents were willing to vaccinate daughters than sons (55.8% vs 41.3%). The primary reasons for supporting HPV vaccination was a doctor's recommendation, and a concern for their children's health. On the other hand, influential factors that deterred parents to vaccinate their children were lack of information about the vaccine, fear of side effects, lack of a doctor's recommendation, and children perceived to be not at risk because of a cultural restriction of premarital sex. There existed a large gap in knowledge and awareness of HPV knowledge among South Asian parents which affected their acceptance of HPV vaccination. A significant difference of acceptance was observed between fathers and mothers and acceptance of HPV vaccination was different for sons than daughters. The findings suggested increased media coverage and involvement of doctors and pediatricians would help to achieve higher awareness and acceptance of HPV vaccination.

Degree

M.P.H.

Advisors

Hyner, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Public health

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