Human papillomavirus vaccine communication: Perspectives of 11–12 year-old girls, mothers, and clinicians

Abstract

Objectives Because little is known about the content of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine-related discussions with young adolescent girls in clinical settings, we explored communication between 11–12 year-old girls, mothers, and clinicians regarding HPV vaccines and concordance in reports of maternal and clinician communication. Methods We conducted individual interviews with 33 girls who had received the quadrivalent HPV vaccine in urban and suburban clinical settings, their mothers, and their clinicians. Data were analyzed using qualitative methods. Results From the perspectives of both girls and mothers, clinicians and parents were the preferred sources of HPV vaccine information for girls. Vaccine efficacy and risks/benefits of vaccination were the most commonly reported desired and actual topics of discussion by mothers, girls, and clinicians. Clinician recommendation of vaccination was reported by nearly one-fifth of girls and nearly half of mothers. The most common concordant messages were related to efficacy of the vaccine, with concordance in 70% of triads. The most common discordant messages were related to sexual health. Approximately half of clinicians (16) reported discussing sexual health, but only 5 mothers (15%) and 4 girls (12%) reported this. Triads recruited from suburban (vs. urban) practices had higher degrees of concordance in reported vaccination communication. Conclusions HPV vaccine efficacy and safety are important topics for clinicians to discuss with both girls and mothers; educating mothers is important because parents are a preferred source of vaccine-related information for girls. Because girls may be missing important vaccine-related messages, they should be encouraged to actively engage in vaccine discussions.

School nurses’ attitudes and experiences regarding the human papillomavirus vaccination programme in Sweden: a population-based survey

“…Thus, HCP education and knowledge about HPV as well as communication skills are important since the majority were contacted by parents who had additional questions about the vaccine, especially its adverse effects. The necessity for HCPs to discuss vaccine safety and effectiveness with parents was also noted in previous studies [17,19]. The safety profile of the HPV vaccine is well established, and no severe adverse effects have been found [20].…”

Human papillomavirus vaccine-related risk perceptions and subsequent sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted infections among vaccinated adolescent women

“…Maternal report of communication about the HPV vaccine was associated with condom use, which suggests that mothers may take the opportunity to discuss safer sexual behaviors when their daughter is being vaccinated against HPV. [31–33] In addition, mothers who discuss HPV vaccination with their daughters may be more likely to play an active role in educating their daughters about STI prevention. Because maternal report of communication with the daughter about the HPV vaccine was associated with condom use, clinicians should also encourage mothers to discuss sexual health topics, including HPV vaccination, with daughters.…”

Provider communication about HPV vaccination: A systematic review

“…Of these, content related to prevention featured most prominently, with parents and adolescents most often wanting providers to discuss the specific diseases HPV vaccine prevents and its efficacy. 18,21,82,83 In correspondence with preferred content, prevention of cancer, genital warts, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) constituted the major topics of actual HPV vaccine communication. Almost all providers reported mentioning cancer prevention when they discussed HPV vaccination.…”

“…60,84 Content about safety and side effects featured somewhat less prominently in studies of provider communication about HPV vaccination. Qualitative studies suggested that some parents and adolescents prioritized safety and side effects as important topics for discussion, 19,21,38,61,82 but studies of actual content suggested that such communication was fairly limited. 27,79,82 For example, one qualitative study of parents and their adolescent sons found that most recalled that their providers had told them HPV vaccination was generally safe, but few reported receiving information or asking questions about specific side effects.…”