Knowledge, Attitudes, and Acceptance of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination among Parents of Female Students at the Basic Education Schools of Lorma Colleges

Abstract

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) remains a significant public health concern, particularly among young females, as it is a leading cause of cervical cancer despite available safe and effective vaccines. This study evaluated parental knowledge, attitudes, and acceptance of HPV vaccination among parents of female students aged 9-14 years in the Basic Education Department of Lorma Colleges, San Juan, La Union, focusing on knowledge of HPV, its transmission and risks, and vaccine safety and effectiveness, attitudes in terms of perceived benefits, safety concerns, trust in authorities, and personal beliefs, and acceptance in terms of intention to vaccinate if free, willingness to pay, and recommend the vaccine. A quantitative descriptive-correlational design included 129 parents or guardians selected through total enumeration. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.980) and analyzed using weighted mean and Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (r). Results showed moderate parental knowledge (composite mean = 2.8114), positive attitudes (composite mean = 3.2277), and high acceptance (composite mean = 3.0186). Parents recognized the benefits of vaccination, although safety concerns and personal beliefs persisted. Key factors influencing decisions included safety concerns, knowledge, service accessibility, and trust in healthcare providers. Findings also showed significant relationships between knowledge and acceptance, and attitudes and acceptance of HPV vaccination. These findings highlight the need for targeted health education to improve parents' knowledge and increase vaccination acceptance through consistent information dissemination and strengthened collaboration between schools and healthcare providers to address concerns effectively and raise awareness.