Parental and Guardian Attitudes and Knowledge toward HPV for Children in Peru: A Cross-sectional Study

Aims and background:To evaluate the attitudes and knowledge of Peruvian parents or legal guardians toward human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for children. Understanding these factors can help identify barriers and facilitators to vaccine acceptance in this population. Materials and methods: An analytical and cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted. Two questionnaires were administered: The first assessed knowledge about HPV, and the second evaluated attitudes toward HPV vaccination. Data were analyzed using STATA version 17 and RStudio, with Mann−Whitney U-tests, Spearman’s rho, and Kruskal−Wallis tests. Results: A total of 178 participants were surveyed. Having children of only 1 sex, children under 12 years old, or a male child was associated with better attitudes toward HPV vaccination (p < 0.001). The majority of participants (65.61%) had children in the childhood stage. Most were aware of the virus and its link to cancer (84.83%), as well as the existence of the vaccine (89.89%). However, many were unaware of the correct number of doses required and the inclusion of male children in the vaccination program. Despite this, accurate knowledge was present in most areas. The median score for attitudes was 86. Conclusion: Knowledge about HPV and certain family characteristics significantly influence attitudes toward HPV vaccination. Parents with more knowledge about the virus and fewer children exhibited more positive attitudes, highlighting the need for targeted educational campaigns to improve vaccine acceptance. Clinical significance: Enhancing parental knowledge and addressing misconceptions about HPV vaccination are essential for increasing vaccine uptake. Educational efforts should focus on clarifying the dosage schedule and benefits of vaccination for both male and female children.