Parental Education on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a worldwide condition that produces several diseases, including cervical, anogenital, and oral cancer, among others (Fishman et al., 2014). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; 2016a) stated that HPV is among the most reported sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. Over 150 viruses are associated with HPV, and 40 types of the virus can be spread via sexual contact, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex (CDC, 2016; CDC, 2016b; CDC, 2016c). Evidence shows that approximately 79 million individuals are infected in the United States, and 14 million Americans are infected with the virus each year (CDC, 2016c). While the HPV vaccine has been proven to reduce an individual’s risk of contracting the virus, the number of vaccines administered in the United States has remained considerably lower than the goal percentage for vaccination of those eligible (Printz, 2015). This evidence-based practice change project aimed to design and offer an evidence-based educational program to encourage caregivers of children ages 9–17 to approve of the HPV vaccine for their children. The study explores the impact of the educational intervention program on improving caregiver knowledge, intentions, and attitude regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine. Keywords: Human Papillomavirus; HPV vaccine; HPV parents’ education, knowledge, and attitude and intention; HPV vaccine rates; and HPV-vaccination administration