HPV Vaccine Decision-Making and Acceptance: Does Religion Play a Role?

Abstract

We conducted a web-based survey among 476 white, Black, and Hispanic parents or caregivers with daughter(s) between the ages of 9–17 to better understand how religion influences HPV vaccine acceptance. Catholic parents were more likely than nonaffiliated parents to have already vaccinated their daughters (vs. being undecided) (OR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.06, 10.06). Parents with frequent attendance at religious services were more likely than parents who do not attend services to have decided against vaccination (vs. being undecided) (OR = 2.92, 95% CI = 1.25, 6.84). Directions for research and implications for interventions are addressed.

HPV vaccine acceptance among African-American mothers and their daughters: an inquiry grounded in culture

“…For example, one study indicates that African-Americans who identified as non-Baptists were 3.6 times more likely to vaccinate their children compared to Baptist parents (Thomas et al 2013). While another study conducted by Shelton et al (2013) indicated that Protestant parents were more likely to report vaccine non-acceptance compared to other parents, and parents with frequent religious service attendance were more likely not to HPV vaccinate their daughters than parents who did not attend religious services. In yet another study, when asked about the role of religious beliefs on HPV vaccine acceptance, African-Americans reported that although their religious beliefs were important to them, religious beliefs did not influence their HPV vaccine decisions (Sanders Thompson, Arnold, and Notaro 2012).…”

Parental Vaccine Hesitancy: Clinical Implications for Pediatric Providers

“…However, understanding how religion can influence vaccination beliefs is important to providing education to parents. Certain vaccines have been questioned more than others within the religious community, particularly the HPV vaccine (Shelton, Snavely, Jesus, Othus, & Allen, 2013). This vaccine was the first created to prevent a specific type of cancer (Fernbach, 2011).…”

“…The HPV vaccine is not always well accepted within religious communities whose beliefs strongly identify with views that prohibit premarital sex and adhere to monogamy (Shelton et al, 2013). Because HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, parents may perceive vaccinating against it as unnecessary and even immoral.…”

“…This age preference stated by some parents is challenged by some studies that have found that 7% of school-age children are sexually activate before the age of 13.5 years, making early immunization essential (Walhart, 2012). Education given to parents related to the vaccine must be sensitive to any religious views that may affect vaccine acceptance; utilizing interventions that inform parents of how the virus is transmitted without condoning sexual activity prior to marriage will ensure that the education takes concerns of sexual promiscuity into account (Shelton et al, 2013).…”

Opportunities for utilizing new technologies to increase vaccine confidence

“…Furthermore, the reasons for rejecting vaccines differ according to the vaccine. For example, concerns related to MMR and thimerosol-containing vaccines are often associated with fear of autism, concerns about the HPV vaccine may be based on religious beliefs and opposition to the influenza vaccine may be related to attitudes about its effectiveness [16][17][18][19].…”