title: Disparities in human papillomavirus vaccine awareness among U.S. parents of preadolescents and adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Improved parental awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines could increase uptake of vaccines early in the life course, thereby reducing adolescents' later risk for HPV infection and cancer. As such, we sought to determine factors related to parental awareness of HPV vaccines, using a nationally representative population-based sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined data on 5735 parents of preadolescents and adolescents aged 8 to 17 years from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey. Parents were asked if they had ever heard of HPV vaccines or shots. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the odds of parental awareness of HPV vaccines, controlling for relevant covariates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most US parents (62.6%) heard of HPV vaccines. Multivariable results revealed parents of children who were older, female, and insured were more likely to have heard of HPV vaccines; parents who were female, white (non-Hispanic), English speakers, born in the United States, married or living with a partner, more educated, and had higher income were also more likely to be aware of HPV vaccines. Notably, parents of children who had a well-child checkup in the last 12 months were significantly more likely to have heard of HPV vaccines (odds ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.46).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the significant disparities in parental awareness of HPV vaccines, improving access to preventive pediatric health care could offer an opportunity to increase parental awareness. In addition, public health efforts that provide culturally sensitive information in a variety of languages may be an effective way to reach vulnerable groups.
authors.affiliation: From the Truven Health Analytics and Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.
authors.forename: Lauren E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Wisk
authors.forename: Adelyn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Allchin
authors.forename: Whitney P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Witt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines