Stages of HPV Vaccine Hesitancy Among Guardians of Female Secondary School Students in China

PURPOSE: Female secondary school students are the primary recommended population for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. However, vaccine hesitancy may affect uptake. In this study, we assessed the vaccine hesitancy levels among the guardians of female secondary school students in China. METHODS: We developed a questionnaire and conducted cross-sectional surveys among guardians of secondary school girls aged 12–19 years in mainland China based on the Increasing Vaccination Model and the Precaution Adoption Process Model. RESULTS: We collected 3,225 valid samples. Among the participating guardians, 53.9% were vaccine hesitant, although only 0.9% had refused HPV vaccines. Some individual characteristics of guardians (e.g. sex, education/income level) were associated with understanding HPV vaccines. Better knowledge of HPV vaccines and communication with reliable sources of information were associated with vaccine nonhesitancy. Practical barriers such as vaccine shortage and busy schedules prevented nonhesitant guardians from vaccinating their children. DISCUSSION: A substantial proportion of the guardians surveyed were HPV vaccine hesitant. Promoting HPV knowledge and communication with reliable sources (e.g. clinical doctors) could help fight against vaccine hesitancy.