How Parents Hear About Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: Implications for Uptake

Purpose: To examine correlates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine awareness and information sources in a state requiring schools to inform parents about HPV vaccine. Methods: Telephone survey of a North Carolina population-based sample of 696 parents of females aged 10-17 years about HPV vaccine awareness and information sources (daughters' schools, healthcare provider, drug company advertisements, news stories) was conducted. Results: Overall, 91% of parents had heard of HPV vaccine. Parents were more likely to be aware if they had household incomes of $50,000 or higher, were women, had non-Hispanic white daughters, or had daughters vaccinated against meningitis. Information sources included drug company advertisements (64%), healthcare providers (50%), news stories (50%), and schools (9%). Only parents who heard from their children's healthcare providers were more likely to initiate HPV vaccine for their daughters. Conclusions: Parents had rarely heard of the vaccine through schools. The only source associated with vaccine initiation was hearing from a healthcare provider. (C) 2010 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.