Purpose: The current study sought to determine if the release of COVID-19 vaccines influenced Alabama mothers' attitudes and behaviors regarding HPV vaccination of their adolescent children.
Methods: A social media survey was conducted August - September 2022 among mothers of adolescents ages 9-18, who self-identified as Alabama residents and their child(ren)'s primary medical decision maker. The survey assessed demographics, vaccine knowledge and opinions, vaccination history, influences on vaccination decisions, and how COVID-19 vaccine release affected vaccine opinions. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted.
Results: Of 241 responses, most participants were white (82.0 %, n = 196), non-Hispanic (96.6 %, n = 230), and privately insured (64.5 %, n = 151), with annual household incomes ≥$61,000 (45.4 %, n = 103). The majority (60.8 %) reported that their child either had or planned to receive the HPV vaccine. The release of COVID-19 vaccines did not change the majority of parental opinions towards HPV, with 78.5 % (n = 161) reporting no change. Among those who experienced a change, 25 % (n = 5) reported an increased likelihood of having their child vaccinated for HPV and 75 % (n = 15) reported a decrease in likelihood. Moderate and high HPV knowledge scores were associated in multivariable analysis with increased likelihood of having their child vaccinated for HPV ("moderate" knowledge AOR: 12.4, 95 % CI: 1.98-78.1; "high" knowledge AOR: 12.8, 95 % CI: 2.00-82.1). Positive HPV opinion scores in the univariable analysis similarly showed increased odds (AOR = 1.5).
Conclusions: These findings indicate that, in this population, COVID-19 vaccine release did not significantly impact subsequent HPV vaccination decision making. Parental perceptions regarding vaccination are critical to informing future interventions.
Keywords: COVID-19; HPV; Hesitancy; Human papillomavirus; Immunization; Vaccination.
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