title: Rural African American parents' knowledge and decisions about human papillomavirus vaccination.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify predictors of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among rural African American families.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional descriptive study in schools in three rural counties in southeastern United States. The sample consisted of African American parents or caregivers with children 9 to 13 years of age who attended elementary or middle school in 2010-2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using an anonymous, 26-item survey, we collected descriptive data during parent-teacher events from African American parents with children in elementary or middle school. The main outcome was measured as a response of "yes" to the statement "I have or will vaccinate my child with the HPV vaccine." In addition, composite scores of knowledge and positive attitudes and beliefs were compared. No interventions were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified predictors of HPV vaccination and found that religious affiliation had a correlation with vaccinating or planning to vaccinate a child.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results indicate a need for further research on the role of local culture, including religion and faith, in rural African Americans' decisions about giving their children the HPV vaccination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study emphasizes the importance of understanding rural African American parents' knowledge, attitudes, and spiritual beliefs when designing health education programs and public health interventions to increase HPV vaccination uptake among African American boys and girls living in rural areas.
authors.affiliation: Emory University, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. tami.thomas@emory.edu
authors.forename: Tami Lynn
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Ora L
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Strickland
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: DiClemente
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haber
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012067:Religion; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines